Argentina Soybean Oilcake Export Market -- HS Code 2304 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)

Argentina Soybean Oilcake Export (HS 2304) Key Takeaways

Argentina's soybean oilcake exports under HS Code 2304 in Q1 2025 reveal a market dominated by low-margin bulk trade, with 99.93% of volume tied to standard-grade product priced at $0.69/kg. Export value declined to $1.45B by March despite rising unit prices, signaling tightening supply or shifting demand. Vietnam emerged as the top bulk buyer, absorbing 20% of volume, while transactional markets like Italy favored smaller, frequent shipments. This analysis, covering Q1 2025, is based on processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Soybean Oilcake Export (HS 2304) Background

What is HS Code 2304?

HS Code 2304 refers to soybean oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in pellet form, resulting from the extraction of soybean oil. This product is primarily used as a high-protein animal feed ingredient, driving steady global demand due to its role in livestock and poultry industries. Its trade significance is further amplified by its use in aquaculture and biofuel production, making it a key commodity in agricultural markets.

Current Context and Strategic Position

While no specific trade policy announcements have recently impacted HS Code 2304, global commodity price volatility and shifting feed demand patterns underscore the need for market vigilance. Argentina's soybean oilcake export sector remains strategically important, as the country is a leading global supplier, leveraging its robust soybean processing industry. Fluctuations in crop yields, currency dynamics, and trade policies in key importing regions could influence Argentina's export performance. Monitoring hs code 2304 trade data is critical for stakeholders to navigate these uncertainties and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the animal feed and biofuel sectors.

Argentina Soybean Oilcake Export (HS 2304) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's Soybean oilcake exports in Q1 2025 closed with a total value of 1.45 billion USD in March, down from 1.74 billion USD in January, while unit prices rose to $0.75 per kilogram. This hs code 2304 value trend indicates a quarter marked by declining export earnings despite higher per-unit returns.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Soybean oilcake Export trend showed a sequential decline in volume from 2.65 billion kg in January to 1.93 billion kg in March, coupled with a steady price increase from $0.66/kg to $0.75/kg over the same period. This dynamic suggests supply constraints or shifting global demand for feed ingredients, potentially influenced by macroeconomic factors like currency volatility affecting export flows. The Q1 performance reflects a market adjusting to tighter availability, common in commodity cycles where price spikes often accompany reduced shipments.

Argentina Soybean Oilcake Export (HS 2304) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Argentina's HS Code 2304 export structure in Q1 2025 is overwhelmingly concentrated in a single product type. The sub-code for standard soya-bean oilcake (HS 23040010100) accounts for 99.93% of the total weight shipped. This product, traded at a low unit price of $0.69 per kilogram, is the clear bulk commodity driver for Argentina's export activities under this code. A separate, very small shipment (HS 23040090100) with no available unit price has been isolated from the main analysis due to its anomalous data.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous trade consists of two minor product grades that suggest a limited degree of product differentiation. One is a small volume of a higher-grade soya-bean oilcake (HS 23040010200), which commands a premium price of $1.03 per kilogram. The other is another variant (HS 23040090200) priced at $0.77 per kilogram. Despite these premium options, the market structure for Argentina's HS Code 2304 exports is fundamentally that of a fungible bulk commodity trade, with the vast majority of volume tied to the standard, low-price product.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This analysis of HS Code 2304 trade data indicates that Argentina's pricing power for soya-bean oilcake exports is heavily linked to global commodity indices and volume. The market is dominated by a single, low-margin bulk product. For market players, the strategic focus must remain on cost-efficient production and logistics to compete in this high-volume, low-differentiation segment. The negligible presence of higher-value grades offers little opportunity for premium pricing strategies.

Table: Argentina HS Code 2304) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 2304 Breakdown

Argentina Soybean Oilcake Export (HS 2304) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Vietnam is the dominant destination for Argentina's Soybean oilcake exports in Q1 2025, accounting for 20.05% of the total value and 20.37% of the total weight. The near-identical value and weight shares show Vietnam is a major bulk buyer of this commodity. This suggests a consistent demand for large volumes of standard-grade product, likely for its animal feed industry.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top buyers form two clear clusters. The first is a volume cluster, comprising Vietnam and Ecuador, where high weight shares indicate their role as large-scale consumers of bulk Soybean oilcake. The second is a transactional cluster, led by Italy and Chile, where high shipment frequency relative to volume points to a trade pattern of smaller, more regular consignments, possibly for specialized feed blends or regional distribution.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Argentina's export strategy for Soybean oilcake should focus on securing its bulk supply chains to volume buyers like Vietnam and Ecuador. The consistent, high-volume nature of these shipments requires reliable logistics for this commodity. For the transactional cluster, including Italy, the focus should be on maintaining efficient, frequent shipping schedules to meet their demand for regular, smaller deliveries. No specific trade news or policy was relevant to this analysis.

Table: Argentina Soybean Oilcake (HS 2304) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Soybean Oilcake Market Operation and Expansion

• Optimize bulk shipping logistics to volume buyers like Vietnam. This secures the high-volume, low-margin core of Argentina's Soybean oilcake Export business and ensures supply chain reliability for your largest clients.
• Use detailed hs code 2304 trade data to identify and target buyers of premium-grade products. This allows you to capture higher margins from niche markets and diversify beyond the standard bulk commodity trade.
• Monitor competitor shipments and global price indices weekly. This proactive approach protects your market share by enabling rapid price adjustments in response to shifts in the global Soybean oilcake supply chain.
• Diversify your buyer portfolio by targeting transactional clients in Europe. Building relationships with buyers who prefer frequent, smaller shipments mitigates risk by reducing over-reliance on a few bulk destinations.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Soybean oilcake Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Soybean oilcake Export 2025 Q1?

Argentina's Soybean oilcake exports in Q1 2025 saw declining volumes (from 2.65B kg in January to 1.93B kg in March) but rising unit prices (from $0.66/kg to $0.75/kg), suggesting supply constraints or shifting global demand for feed ingredients.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Soybean oilcake (HS Code 2304) 2025 Q1?

Vietnam is the dominant buyer, accounting for 20.05% of value and 20.37% of weight, followed by Ecuador, Italy, and Chile, which form distinct volume and transactional clusters.

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

Price differences stem from product grades: standard soya-bean oilcake trades at $0.69/kg, while a premium grade (HS 23040010200) commands $1.03/kg, though bulk shipments dominate.

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

Exporters should prioritize cost-efficient logistics for bulk buyers like Vietnam and Ecuador while maintaining frequent shipments for transactional markets like Italy and Chile.

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

Bulk buyers (e.g., Vietnam) can rely on consistent supply, while transactional buyers (e.g., Italy) benefit from flexible, smaller shipments for specialized needs.

Q6. How is Soybean oilcake typically used in this trade flow?

Soybean oilcake is primarily used as animal feed, with bulk shipments likely destined for large-scale feed industries in key markets like Vietnam.

Detailed Monthly Report

Argentina HS2304 Export Snapshot 2025 JAN

Argentina HS2304 Export Snapshot 2025 FEB