Argentina Molluscs Export Market -- HS Code 0307 Trade Data & Price Trend (Sep 2025)

Argentina Molluscs Export (HS 0307) Key Takeaways

Argentina's molluscs exports under HS code 0307 in September 2025 totaled $18.82 million, reflecting a subdued period amid volatile annual trends. The trade is dominated by frozen cuttlefish and squid, with premium-grade products like sub-code 03074310130 commanding higher unit prices (3.67 USD/kg), signaling quality-driven margins. China accounts for 65% of export value, primarily purchasing bulk volumes, while France and the U.S. represent high-value niches for premium live products. This analysis, based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database, highlights Argentina's reliance on bulk exports but opportunities in premium markets.

Argentina Molluscs Export (HS 0307) Background

What is HS Code 0307?

HS Code 0307 covers molluscs, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, as well as flour, meals, and pellets of aquatic invertebrates. This product category is critical for global food industries, particularly in seafood processing and aquaculture, due to its versatility and high nutritional value. Stable demand is driven by its use in both direct consumption and value-added food products.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina recently eliminated export duties on grains and by-products, including molluscs, until October 2025 [Aduana News]. This policy shift enhances the competitiveness of Argentina's molluscs export sector, aligning with broader efforts to boost agricultural trade. As a key supplier, Argentina benefits from its extensive coastline and aquaculture capabilities, making it a strategic player in the global hs code 0307 trade data landscape. Market vigilance is essential to monitor how these policy changes impact export volumes and pricing dynamics.

Argentina Molluscs Export (HS 0307) Price Trend

Key Observations

In September 2025, Argentina's molluscs exports under HS code 0307 reached a value of $18.82 million USD, marking a subdued period in the annual export performance.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Molluscs Export trend exhibited significant volatility throughout 2025, with values surging to over $600 million in February before declining sharply to zero in July, followed by a partial recovery in August and September. This erratic pattern aligns with typical seasonal fluctuations in fishing outputs and may be partly attributed to the recent policy shift eliminating export duties, as decreed in September [KPMG], which aims to bolster competitiveness but had limited immediate impact on the hs code 0307 value trend during its initial implementation phase.

Argentina Molluscs Export (HS 0307) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Argentina's HS Code 0307 export in September 2025 is highly concentrated in frozen cuttle fish and squid, specifically under sub-code 03074310130, which accounts for over 33% of the export value. According to yTrade data, this product has a unit price of approximately 3.67 USD per kilogram, notably higher than other similar frozen items like sub-code 03074310110 at 2.87 USD per kilogram, indicating a potential premium grade specialization. An anomaly is the frozen scallops sub-code with a unit price around 7.16 USD per kilogram, but it is isolated from the main analysis due to low trade frequency.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The HS Code 0307 trade data from Argentina reveals two primary product groups: the bulk consists of frozen cuttle fish and squid with unit prices ranging from 2.76 to 3.95 USD per kilogram, suggesting variations in quality or size grades, and a smaller segment of frozen scallops with a higher unit price near 7.16 USD per kilogram. This structure points to a trade in differentiated bulk commodities, where price is influenced by product grade rather than being fully fungible and index-linked.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players in Argentina's HS Code 0307 exports, the unit price differences show that higher-grade products can achieve better margins, offering some pricing power through quality differentiation. However, the commodity-like nature means that competitive strategies should focus on enhancing product quality and efficiency to capture value in a market driven by grade-based pricing.

Table: Argentina HS Code 0307) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 0307 Breakdown

Argentina Molluscs Export (HS 0307) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

China dominates Argentina's molluscs exports for September 2025, accounting for 65% of the total export value. This 65% value share significantly exceeds its 71% quantity share, indicating China primarily purchases lower-value, bulk versions of these seafood products. The high shipment frequency (62% of all shipments) points to a steady, high-volume trade flow in frozen or processed molluscs rather than premium fresh varieties.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two distinct buyer clusters emerge. Spain forms a high-frequency cluster, with 15% of shipments generating 11% of the value, suggesting regular deliveries of mid-value products. France and the United States constitute a high-yield cluster; France's 6% value share from just 3% of quantity implies strong demand for premium live or specialty molluscs. The remaining partners (Japan, Thailand, Norway, Vietnam, Malaysia, Netherlands) form a volume cluster, collectively taking 18% of quantity but only 12% of value, indicating their role as processors or re-export hubs for bulk frozen product.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Argentina should leverage its competitive position in bulk molluscs while developing higher-margin markets. The recent elimination of export duties [Aduana News] supports cost-advantageous volume shipments to China and volume cluster partners. Simultaneously, exporters should target the high-yield cluster (France, US) with premium product development. Optimizing cold chain logistics for frequent shipments to Spain will also be crucial for maintaining market share in this key mid-value destination.

Table: Argentina Molluscs (HS 0307) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Molluscs Market Operation and Expansion

• Develop premium-grade frozen cuttlefish and squid products under HS code 0307 to target high-value markets like France and the US, as the hs code 0307 trade data shows unit prices can reach up to 3.95 USD/kg for better margins in Argentina Molluscs Export.
• Optimize cold chain logistics for frequent, smaller shipments to Spain to maintain reliability and cost-efficiency, strengthening the Molluscs supply chain for mid-value trade flows.
• Leverage Argentina's recent elimination of export duties to boost volume shipments of bulk frozen molluscs to China and volume-cluster partners, securing competitive pricing in key markets.
• Diversify export destinations beyond China by targeting processing hubs like Japan and Thailand with consistent bulk offerings, reducing geopolitical risk and balancing the Argentina Molluscs Export portfolio.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Molluscs Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Molluscs Export 2025 September?

Argentina's molluscs exports in September 2025 showed subdued performance ($18.82M USD) amid volatile annual trends, likely due to seasonal fishing fluctuations and the recent elimination of export duties, which had limited immediate impact.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Molluscs (HS Code 0307) 2025 September?

China dominated with 65% of export value, followed by Spain (11%) and France (6%), forming distinct clusters for bulk, mid-value, and premium products.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Argentina Molluscs Export?

Price differences stem from product grades: frozen cuttlefish/squid (2.76–3.95 USD/kg) dominate bulk trade, while frozen scallops (7.16 USD/kg) target premium markets like France and the US.

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

Exporters should prioritize bulk shipments to China and volume-cluster partners while developing premium products for high-yield markets (France, US) and optimizing logistics for mid-value destinations like Spain.

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

Buyers in China benefit from steady bulk supply, while France/US access premium-grade products. Spain’s mid-value cluster offers consistent quality, and volume-cluster partners serve as re-export hubs.

Q6. How is Molluscs typically used in this trade flow?

Argentina’s HS Code 0307 exports primarily comprise frozen cuttlefish, squid, and scallops, traded as bulk commodities or differentiated grades for processing or direct consumption.