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

Argentina Soya Beans Export (HS 1201) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Soya beans exports under HS Code 1201 surged to $1.13 billion in September 2025, marking the year's peak performance, driven by China's dominance as the top buyer (96.65% of value) and the rebound from July's export halt following new trade policies. The market is hyper-concentrated, with 99.77% of volume coming from bulk-grade soya beans, leaving little room for product differentiation or pricing power. High-value markets like China and niche buyers in Iraq and the U.S. demand premium grades, while Uruguay serves as a bulk hub for re-export. This analysis covers September 2025 and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Soya Beans Export (HS 1201) Background

What is HS Code 1201?

HS Code 1201 covers Soya beans, whether or not broken, a key agricultural commodity primarily used for animal feed, edible oil production, and biofuel. Global demand remains stable due to its versatility and essential role in food and industrial supply chains. Argentina is a major producer, making this HS code critical for tracking trade flows.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina's soybean sector is navigating a shifting policy landscape, with new export duties effective August 2025 aimed at boosting agro-industrial competitiveness [Aduana News]. The country anticipates 33.54 million metric tons of soybean meal production in MY 2025-26, with exports rising 3.1% year-over-year [S&P Global]. As China rapidly purchases Argentine soybeans post-policy adjustments [Soy Growers], Argentina's soya beans export under HS Code 1201 demands close monitoring for market shifts. Strategic positioning and policy responsiveness will define trade competitiveness in 2025.

Argentina Soya Beans Export (HS 1201) Price Trend

Key Observations

In September 2025, Argentina's export value for Soya beans (HS Code 1201) reached 1.13 billion USD, representing the highest monthly performance of the year and signaling a strong close to the third quarter.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Soya beans Export trend exhibited notable volatility through 2025, with exports dipping to zero in July before surging to 979.74 million USD in August and climbing further in September. This sequential rebound aligns with Argentina's implementation of new export duties effective August 1, 2025, designed to stimulate agricultural shipments [Aduana News]. The hs code 1201 value trend reflects heightened global demand, particularly from key markets like China, which responded with increased purchases following the policy shift (S&P Global).

Argentina Soya Beans Export (HS 1201) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In September 2025, Argentina's export of HS Code 1201 is overwhelmingly dominated by a single product variant. According to yTrade data, the sub-code for "Soya beans; other than seed, whether or not broken" (HS 12019000190) accounts for 99.77% of the quantity exported and 99.60% of the export value, indicating extreme market concentration without significant price disparity data available for detailed unit cost analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes are minimal and can be grouped into two categories: seed-grade soya beans (HS 12011000000) and other non-seed variants (e.g., HS 12019000110 and 12019000299), which together represent less than 1% of exports. This structure confirms that Argentina's HS Code 1201 trade is primarily focused on bulk, fungible commodities like standard soya beans, which are typically traded based on global indices rather than product differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, the high concentration in bulk exports under HS Code 1201 suggests limited pricing power, as prices are likely driven by international commodity markets. Strategic focus should remain on cost efficiency and volume management, rather than product differentiation, to compete effectively in Argentina's export activities for this code.

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

China is the dominant destination for Argentina's Soya beans exports in September 2025, accounting for 96.65% of the total value and 85.60% of the quantity. The value share exceeds the quantity share, indicating that China imports higher-grade or processed versions of Soya beans, likely for premium food or industrial uses. The frequency share is 69.33%, which is high but aligned with the value, suggesting consistent, large-scale shipments rather than fragmented trade.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export partners form two main clusters based on share profiles. The High-Yield Cluster includes Iraq, the United States, Peru, Chile, and Saudi Arabia, where value shares slightly exceed quantity shares, pointing to demand for better-quality Soya beans for niche markets. The Volume/Hub Cluster is led by Uruguay, with a quantity share of 11.70% but a low value share of 0.06%, indicating bulk, raw exports possibly for processing or re-export due to logistical advantages. Chile also shows a high frequency share relative to its value, suggesting frequent, smaller shipments for fresh supply chains.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To maximize returns, Argentina should prioritize high-margin markets like China and other High-Yield Cluster countries by focusing on premium Soya beans varieties. For bulk buyers like Uruguay, optimizing logistics and cost-efficient shipping is key. The new export duties scheme effective August 2025 [aduananews.com] may support these strategies by making exports more competitive, as seen in sustained flows to major partners.

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 premium-grade Soya beans exports to China and other high-yield markets identified in the hs code 1201 trade data to capture higher margins, as their value share exceeds quantity share.
• Streamline the Soya beans supply chain for bulk, cost-sensitive buyers like Uruguay by optimizing logistics and shipping efficiency to protect volume-based revenue streams.
• Use detailed hs code 1201 trade data to monitor and develop niche sub-codes, such as seed-grade soya beans, to diversify the Argentina Soya beans Export portfolio and reduce reliance on a single bulk commodity.
• Leverage Argentina's new export duties scheme to maintain competitive pricing for bulk shipments while strategically directing premium products to markets that pay for quality, securing the overall Soya beans supply chain profitability.

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 September?

Argentina's Soya beans exports surged to 1.13 billion USD in September 2025, the highest monthly value of the year, driven by new export duties effective August 2025 and heightened global demand, particularly from China.

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

China dominates as the primary destination, accounting for 96.65% of export value, followed by Uruguay (11.70% quantity share) and Iraq, the U.S., Peru, Chile, and Saudi Arabia in smaller but higher-value niches.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization: China imports premium-grade Soya beans (HS 12019000190, 99.6% of value), while Uruguay receives bulk, raw shipments (low-value share), and High-Yield Cluster countries demand niche-quality variants.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-margin markets like China and High-Yield Cluster countries with premium-grade Soya beans, while optimizing logistics for bulk buyers like Uruguay to maintain cost efficiency.

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

Buyers in China benefit from consistent, high-quality supply, while bulk importers like Uruguay gain cost advantages. Niche-market buyers (e.g., Iraq, U.S.) access specialized grades but face competition for limited volumes.

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

Argentina’s exports are primarily bulk, non-seed Soya beans (HS 12019000190) for commodity trading, with minimal seed-grade or processed variants, indicating use in global food or industrial supply chains.