Argentina Lithium Carbonate HS283691 Export Data 2025 March Overview

Argentina Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 March Export: Key Takeaways

Argentina’s Lithium Carbonate (HS Code 283691) exports in March 2025 reveal a high-concentration market, with China dominating 73% of trade by value and weight, signaling bulk industrial demand at a stable $16.38/kg. The US and Japan form a secondary premium cluster, suggesting opportunities for diversification beyond China’s commodity-grade dominance. This analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, highlights Argentina’s strategic position in the global lithium supply chain during this period.

Argentina Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 March Export Background

Lithium Carbonate (HS Code 283691) is a critical raw material for batteries, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals, driving steady global demand. Argentina, the world’s second-largest exporter of lithium carbonates, shipped $724M in 2023 [OEC]. In 2025, Argentina’s export policies saw major shifts, including temporary duty eliminations for certain goods, though no March 2025 update specifically targeted HS 283691 [KPMG]. With Argentina Lithium Carbonate HS Code 283691 Export 2025 March data reflecting its strategic role, the country remains key to meeting global supply needs.

Argentina Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 March Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In March 2025, Argentina's exports of Lithium Carbonate under HS Code 283691 reached a value of 141.69 million USD with a volume of 8.49 million kilograms, showing a slight recovery from the previous month but remaining below January's peak. This performance highlights the ongoing volatility in the Argentina Lithium Carbonate HS Code 283691 Export 2025 March data, influenced by both market dynamics and policy shifts.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The March figures represent a modest month-over-month increase from February, where value rose by 1.32 million USD and volume by 0.22 million kilograms, following a sharp decline from January. This pattern aligns with typical lithium market cycles, where early-year inventory drawdowns often lead to fluctuating export volumes as producers adjust to global battery demand signals. The overall Q1 downtrend suggests cautious export behavior, possibly due to seasonal adjustments in electric vehicle production schedules affecting raw material procurement.

External Context and Outlook

Argentina's broader export policy environment in 2025, including the temporary elimination of duties on certain goods [KPMG], may indirectly support lithium exports by enhancing competitiveness, though no direct measures targeted HS Code 283691 in March. Looking ahead, sustained global demand for battery materials and potential currency effects could drive further volatility, requiring close monitoring of trade policy developments and industrial demand cycles.

Argentina Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 March Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Argentina's export of Lithium Carbonate under HS Code 283691 in March 2025 is entirely dominated by a single sub-code, 28369100000, which accounts for all recorded trade activity. This sub-code, specifically for Lithium Carbonate, shows a unit price of 16.70 US dollars per kilogram, with total exports valued at 141.69 million US dollars and a weight of 8.49 million kilograms, indicating a highly specialized and concentrated market structure without any price anomalies.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

With no other sub-codes present in the data, the export structure for Argentina Lithium Carbonate HS Code 283691 in March 2025 suggests a focus on a single, undifferentiated product form, likely a bulk commodity grade. This lack of variation implies that the trade is primarily in a fungible, raw material stage, commonly tied to global commodity indices rather than value-added or specialized grades.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For Argentina's Lithium Carbonate export under HS Code 283691 in March 2025, the concentrated, bulk nature of the product means pricing power is largely influenced by global market demand and supply dynamics, rather than product differentiation. Strategic focus should remain on cost efficiency and securing stable export channels to leverage Argentina's position as a key supplier in the lithium market.

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Argentina Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 March Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In March 2025, Argentina's export of Lithium Carbonate under HS Code 283691 showed strong concentration, with CHINA MAINLAND as the dominant buyer, accounting for 73.30% of the value and 74.71% of the weight. The close match between value and weight ratios suggests a standard commodity grade with consistent pricing, around 16.38 USD per kilogram, indicating bulk purchases for industrial use like battery manufacturing.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The importers form three clear clusters based on trade patterns. First, CHINA MAINLAND stands alone as the primary cluster due to its massive scale, driven by high demand for electric vehicle batteries. Second, the UNITED STATES and JAPAN represent a secondary cluster with significant value shares (12.27% and 5.78%) but lower weight proportions, hinting at possible higher-purity grades for specialized tech industries. Third, countries like INDONESIA and SOUTH KOREA form a tertiary cluster with smaller, variable orders, likely for regional or niche applications.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For market players, reducing reliance on China by targeting premium markets like the US and Japan could diversify risk and increase value. Argentina's recent export duty reforms, such as temporary eliminations on certain goods [KPMG], may lower costs and enhance competitiveness for Lithium Carbonate exports, supporting supply chain efficiency and market expansion efforts.

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Argentina Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 March Export: Buyer Cluster

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

For Argentina Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 March under HS Code 283691, the buyer market shows high concentration with a dominant segment of large, frequent buyers. This is typical for commodity products like lithium carbonate, where median values indicate steady, high-volume trade flows. The four segments of buyers are divided by purchase size and regularity, with the most critical group being those who buy in bulk and often.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The other buyer segments include occasional large purchasers, who place big orders but less frequently; small regular buyers, who buy smaller amounts consistently; and infrequent small buyers, who make rare, minor purchases. In commodity trade, these groups represent diversified demand sources, with large occasional buyers often linked to project-based needs, while small regular buyers might be niche users or local distributors.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

Strategic focus for exporters in Argentina should prioritize securing contracts with dominant large buyers to ensure stable revenue. Risks involve dependence on few key clients, but opportunities exist due to Argentina's strong export position and general policy shifts toward lower duties [OEC]. Sales models should emphasize bulk deals and long-term agreements to mitigate volatility, supported by the country's role as a top global exporter (OEC).

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Argentina Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 March Export: Action Plan for Lithium Carbonate Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Argentina Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 March under HS Code 283691 operates as a bulk commodity. Price is driven by global lithium demand, especially from electric vehicle battery production. Supply chain implications center on Argentina's role as a high-volume, low-differentiation supplier. Heavy reliance on China creates vulnerability to demand shifts. Cost efficiency and stable export channels are critical for maintaining competitiveness.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Lithium Carbonate Market Execution

• Target US and Japanese buyers with premium pricing strategies. Use trade data to identify their specific purchase cycles and offer tailored contracts. This diversifies revenue away from China and captures higher-value segments.
• Monitor China's inventory and industrial activity data closely. Align production and shipping schedules with their demand cycles. This prevents oversupply and price drops during their low-activity periods.
• Negotiate long-term agreements with dominant bulk buyers. Leverage Argentina's export volume to secure stable, predictable sales. This reduces market volatility and ensures consistent cash flow.
• Analyze shipment data for logistics bottlenecks. Optimize routes and port operations to cut transit times and costs. This improves supply chain reliability and protects profit margins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 March?

The slight recovery in March 2025 follows a sharp decline from January, reflecting typical lithium market volatility tied to global battery demand cycles and seasonal adjustments in electric vehicle production.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Argentina Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 March?

China dominates with 73.30% of export value, followed by the US (12.27%) and Japan (5.78%), forming distinct clusters based on trade volume and potential grade specialization.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Argentina Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 March partner countries?

All exports fall under sub-code 28369100000 (bulk Lithium Carbonate), but China’s lower unit price (16.38 USD/kg) versus other markets suggests volume discounts or standardized industrial-grade purchases.

Q4. What should exporters in Argentina focus on in the current Lithium Carbonate export market?

Prioritize long-term contracts with dominant bulk buyers (e.g., China) while diversifying into premium markets like the US and Japan to mitigate reliance on a single destination.

Q5. What does this Argentina Lithium Carbonate export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

China’s bulk purchases ensure stable supply for battery manufacturing, while smaller markets like Japan may access higher-purity grades, though with less volume security.

Q6. How is Lithium Carbonate typically used in this trade flow?

The bulk-grade exports are primarily destined for industrial applications, especially electric vehicle battery production, given the commodity’s fungible nature and China’s dominant role.

Q7. What is yTrade?

yTrade is a global trade data platform that provides SaaS and API access to provide accurate, structured, and searchable import-export trade data for international business decisions. It enables users to access verified shipment records, analyse buyer and supplier activity, review company trade overviews, assess compliance risks, and monitor real market demand — all from a single, scalable system.

Q8. How can yTrade benefit my business?

yTrade helps businesses:

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Q9. What features does yTrade offer?

yTrade provides practical, trade-focused tools including:

• Global shipment search by HS code, product, company name, port, or country
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