Argentina - Mainland China Trade 2024 Whole Year: Deficit & Growth
Key Market Takeaways: Argentina - Mainland China Trade
The bilateral trade relationship between Argentina and Mainland China shows growth with high volatility in 2024, underscored by a persistent trade deficit.
- Economic Pulse: Argentina runs a $5.69B trade deficit with China ($11.66B imports vs. $5.97B exports), despite sporadic export surges (e.g., +125.4% YoY in June).
- Exchange Structure: The trade follows a resource-for-tech model—Argentina supplies agricultural commodities (55% of exports from oilseeds and meat) while importing high-value electronics and machinery (25% of total imports).
- Strategic Interdependence: Highly complementary but imbalanced; China dominates high-value chains while Argentina remains a critical commodity supplier.
This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.
Argentina-Mainland China Trade Trend in Whole Year 2024
Argentina Export Performance: Shipments to Mainland China
- Total Volume: $5.97B in 2024.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- Mixed YoY performance: Strong growth in May (+149.38% MoM, +39.22% YoY) and June (+125.4% YoY), but sharp declines in October (-20.66% MoM, -41.75% YoY).
- No specific trade news to explain volatility.
- Key Volatility: May saw the highest MoM surge (+149.38%), while July had the steepest drop (-54.98% MoM).
Argentina Import Performance: Sourcing from Mainland China
- Total Volume: $11.66B in 2024.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- Predominantly negative YoY trends, with June (-46.97% YoY) and August (-47.05% YoY) as low points.
- Brief recovery in October (+0.72% YoY) and December (+53.88% YoY).
- Key Volatility: September recorded the highest MoM jump (+55.83%), while June had the deepest YoY contraction (-46.97%).
Argentina - Mainland China Trade Balance & Market Dynamics
- Net Position: Trade deficit of $5.69B (Imports $11.66B > Exports $5.97B).
- Relationship Status: Heavy reliance on Chinese imports, with exports failing to offset the deficit despite sporadic growth spikes.
Argentina Import Trend from Mainland China 2024 Whole Year (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1.01B | 29.03% | -11.56% |
| Feb | 729.60M | -27.9% | -20.78% |
| Mar | 712.34M | -2.37% | -34.86% |
| Apr | 729.77M | 2.45% | -24.41% |
| May | 766.41M | 5.02% | -38.3% |
| Jun | 671.51M | -12.38% | -46.97% |
| Jul | 982.00M | 46.24% | -25.53% |
| Aug | 886.85M | -9.69% | -47.05% |
| Sep | 1.38B | 55.83% | -2.65% |
| Oct | 1.39B | 0.65% | 0.72% |
| Nov | 1.19B | -14.6% | -6.2% |
| Dec | 1.21B | 1.6% | 53.88% |
| Total | 11.66B | - | - |
Argentina Export Trend to Mainland China 2024 Whole Year (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 449.56M | 38.04% | 10.67% |
| Feb | 388.73M | -13.53% | -2.04% |
| Mar | 314.61M | -19.07% | -21.38% |
| Apr | 389.43M | 23.78% | 28.73% |
| May | 971.18M | 149.38% | 39.22% |
| Jun | 1.05B | 7.9% | 125.4% |
| Jul | 471.74M | -54.98% | 7.63% |
| Aug | 513.73M | 8.9% | 32.12% |
| Sep | 419.92M | -18.26% | -9.74% |
| Oct | 333.15M | -20.66% | -41.75% |
| Nov | 341.09M | 2.38% | 8.17% |
| Dec | 330.04M | -3.24% | 1.34% |
| Total | 5.97B | - | - |
Get Historical Argentina Mainland China Trade Records
Argentina-Mainland China Top Trading Products in Whole Year 2024
Argentina Export Profile: What Does Argentina Sell to Mainland China
- Top Commodity: Rank #1 Export is HS Code 12 (Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits) with 28.36% share.
- Demand Driver: Mainland China uses these for industrial processing (e.g., soybean crushing for feed and oil).
- Concentration: The top two exports (HS 12 and 02) account for 55.15%, indicating high reliance on agricultural products.
Argentina Import Profile: What Does Argentina Buy from Mainland China
- Top Commodity: Rank #1 Import is HS Code 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment) with 24.67% share.
- Dependency Nature: Critical technology dependency, as machinery and electronics dominate imports.
Argentina - Mainland China Trade Relationship Dynamics
- The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity—Argentina exports raw materials (agricultural goods) and imports high-tech manufactured goods.
- Value Chain Position: Mainland China holds the higher value-add position, supplying advanced industrial goods while Argentina provides primary commodities.
Import Analysis by Product: Mainland China to Argentina (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | 2.88B | 24.67% |
| 84 | 2.42B | 20.75% |
| 29 | 1.26B | 10.82% |
| 87 | 708.95M | 6.08% |
| 39 | 529.60M | 4.54% |
| 90 | 340.26M | 2.92% |
| 73 | 318.81M | 2.73% |
| 38 | 240.96M | 2.07% |
| 40 | 231.15M | 1.98% |
| 31 | 206.36M | 1.77% |
Export Analysis by Product: Argentina to Mainland China (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1.69B | 28.36% |
| 02 | 1.60B | 26.79% |
| 99 | 644.09M | 10.79% |
| 10 | 577.51M | 9.67% |
| 15 | 445.70M | 7.46% |
| 28 | 406.03M | 6.80% |
| 03 | 280.93M | 4.70% |
| 41 | 103.10M | 1.73% |
| 24 | 81.21M | 1.36% |
| 23 | 35.96M | 0.60% |
Check Detailed Argentina-Mainland China Trade HS Code Breakdown
Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations
Forecast
The Argentina - Mainland China trade relationship is expected to remain volatile in 2025, with Argentina’s export growth likely to hinge on agricultural commodity demand while import dependency on Chinese machinery persists. Despite sporadic export surges (e.g., +125.4% YoY in June 2024), the structural trade deficit ($5.69B) will pressure Argentina to rebalance. Mainland China’s industrial demand for oil seeds (HS 12) may stabilize exports, but import costs for high-tech goods (HS 85) will keep the deficit wide unless Argentina diversifies its trade portfolio.
Strategic Moves
- Lock in Agricultural Export Contracts: Argentine exporters must secure long-term agreements with Chinese buyers for oil seeds (HS 12) to mitigate price volatility and ensure stable revenue streams.
- Diversify Import Sources: Reduce overreliance on Chinese electronics (HS 85) by exploring alternative suppliers in Southeast Asia or domestic industrial upgrades to curb deficit growth.
- Monitor Trade Policy Shifts: Anticipate potential Chinese import restrictions or subsidies affecting key commodities (e.g., soybeans) and adjust export strategies proactively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Argentina - Mainland China trade perform in 2024 Whole Year?
Argentina exported $5.97B to Mainland China and imported $11.66B, with mixed growth trends—sharp spikes in May and June but declines in October and July.
What are the top exports from Argentina to Mainland China?
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits (HS Code 12) dominate, accounting for 28.36% of exports, followed by agricultural products, reflecting heavy reliance on raw materials.
What does Argentina import from Mainland China?
Electrical machinery and equipment (HS Code 85) is the top import, making up 24.67% of shipments, highlighting Argentina's dependency on high-tech manufactured goods.
What is the trade balance between Argentina and Mainland China?
Argentina faces a trade deficit of $5.69B, as imports ($11.66B) far exceed exports ($5.97B), driven by tech imports and volatile agricultural exports.
Argentina - Mainland China Trade 2023 Q4: Deficit Narrows
Argentina's Mainland China trade trend shows a $2.22B deficit in Q4 2023, with meat and oilseeds dominating exports. Explore yTrade data for deeper insights.
Argentina - Mainland China Trade 2024 Q1: Deepening Deficit
Argentina's trade deficit with Mainland China persists in Q1 2024, driven by meat/grain exports funding high-tech imports. Explore Argentina Mainland China trade trends & top products via yTrade data.
