Argentina Soya Beans Export Market -- HS Code 1201 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)

Argentina Soya Beans Export (HS 1201) Key Takeaways

Argentina's soya beans exports under HS Code 1201 in Q1 2025 were dominated by bulk non-seed varieties, with a sharp March rebound in volume and value following a volatile February dip. The U.S. absorbed 55.5% of export value as the premium market, while Chile drove bulk volume at 48.3% weight share, revealing a two-tiered trade structure. With limited pricing power and heavy buyer concentration, strategic focus should prioritize high-margin U.S. shipments and cost-efficient bulk logistics for Chile. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for 2025 Q1.

Argentina Soya Beans Export (HS 1201) Background

What is HS Code 1201?

HS Code 1201 covers Soya beans, whether or not broken, a critical agricultural commodity used primarily for animal feed, oil extraction, and food production. Global demand remains stable due to its versatility and role in protein-rich diets. The product is a key driver of trade flows, particularly in major producing regions like South America.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2025) Revision 5 [USITC] reflects ongoing adjustments to trade policies, underscoring the need for vigilance in Argentina's Soya beans Export market. Argentina is a top global supplier, with its exports under HS Code 1201 heavily influenced by both domestic production cycles and international demand shifts. Monitoring hs code 1201 trade data is essential to navigate price volatility and policy changes, ensuring competitive positioning in key markets.

Argentina Soya Beans Export (HS 1201) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina Soya beans Export trend in Q1 2025 exhibited significant volatility, with total export value reaching 43.43 million USD in March after a sharp drop to 4.69 million USD in February. Unit prices also fluctuated, averaging $1.02/kg in March compared to $0.85/kg in February and $1.14/kg in January.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 1201 value trend showed a sequential decline from January to February, followed by a robust recovery in March, which aligns with Argentina's typical Soya beans harvest cycle that peaks in early autumn. This surge in volume and value may have been influenced by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule revision announced in mid-March [USITC], potentially driving exporters to accelerate shipments ahead of anticipated policy adjustments.

Argentina Soya Beans Export (HS 1201) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for 2025 Q1, Argentina's export of HS Code 1201 is heavily concentrated in non-seed soya beans, specifically the sub-code for "Soya beans; other than seed, whether or not broken", which holds a value share of 64.90% and a weight share of 60.35%. This dominance is supported by a unit price of 1.10 USD per kilogram, indicating a standard bulk commodity focus. Two minor sub-codes with negligible quantities are isolated as anomalies due to their insignificant market presence.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes fall into two clear categories based on product form: non-seed soya beans with a lower unit price of 0.88 USD per kilogram, and seed soya beans at a higher 1.37 USD per kilogram. This structure suggests a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where price variations are tied to basic grade differences rather than complex value-add stages, typical for raw agricultural exports under HS Code 1201.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, Argentina's HS Code 1201 export data reveals limited pricing power, as the market is dominated by standardized bulk products. Strategic focus should be on optimizing logistics for high-volume non-seed soya beans, while exploring niche opportunities in seed varieties for marginally better returns, given the commodity nature of this trade.

Table: Argentina HS Code 1201) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 1201 Breakdown

Argentina Soya Beans Export (HS 1201) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Argentina's soya beans exports in Q1 2025 were heavily concentrated. The United States was the dominant destination, taking in 55.53% of the total export value. This share was higher than its 51.56% weight share, indicating a flow of higher-grade or processed soya beans to this market. Chile was the second major partner, accounting for 42.58% of the value and a very large 48.26% of the weight, pointing to a bulk trade relationship.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade forms two clear clusters. The first is a High-Yield Cluster, consisting solely of the United States. Its higher value share versus its weight share confirms demand for premium product. The second is a Volume Cluster, led by Chile. Its massive weight share, supported by a very high shipment frequency (55.04%), confirms its role as a primary bulk buyer of Argentina's soya beans. The remaining nations, including Uruguay and Brazil, form a minor Transactional Cluster with small, frequent shipments for niche needs.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The strategy should focus on maintaining the high-margin trade with the United States. For the bulk volume with Chile, optimizing logistics to control shipping costs will be key to protecting profitability. The minimal news context provided does not offer relevant support for explaining these Q1 2025 trade patterns.

Table: Argentina Soya Beans (HS 1201) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Soya Beans Market Operation and Expansion

• Prioritize shipments of higher-grade soya beans to the United States, as hs code 1201 trade data confirms this market pays a premium, directly boosting margins for the Argentina Soya beans Export.
• Optimize bulk shipping and port logistics for high-volume shipments to Chile to control freight costs, protecting profitability in the largest volume segment of the Soya beans supply chain.
• Use hs code 1201 trade data to monitor competitor pricing and shipment frequencies in real-time, enabling dynamic price adjustments to secure contracts before competitors.
• Explore niche contracts for seed-grade soya beans, as the data shows a higher unit price, to diversify the Argentina Soya beans Export portfolio beyond bulk commodities.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Soya beans Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Soya beans Export 2025 Q1?

The volatility in Argentina's soya beans exports is tied to harvest cycles, with a sharp recovery in March 2025 (43.43M USD) after a February dip (4.69M USD). Policy adjustments like the Harmonized Tariff Schedule revision may have accelerated shipments.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Soya beans (HS Code 1201) 2025 Q1?

The United States (55.53% value share) and Chile (42.58% value share) dominate, with the U.S. receiving higher-grade soya beans and Chile absorbing bulk volumes (48.26% weight share).

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

Price differences reflect product grades: seed soya beans command 1.37 USD/kg (targeted to the U.S.), while non-seed bulk varieties average 0.88–1.10 USD/kg (shipped to Chile and others).

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

Optimize logistics for high-volume non-seed soya beans (60.35% weight share) while exploring niche seed varieties (1.37 USD/kg) for marginal gains. Prioritize U.S. high-margin trade and cost-efficient bulk shipments to Chile.

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

U.S. buyers secure premium-grade soya beans, while Chilean buyers benefit from reliable bulk supply. Minor partners like Uruguay and Brazil access niche volumes through frequent, small shipments.

Q6. How is Soya beans typically used in this trade flow?

Argentina’s HS Code 1201 exports are primarily raw agricultural commodities, with non-seed soya beans (64.90% value share) for bulk processing and seed varieties for higher-value cultivation.

Detailed Monthly Report

Argentina HS1201 Export Snapshot 2025 JAN

Argentina HS1201 Export Snapshot 2025 FEB