Argentina Sunflower Oil Export Market -- HS Code 151219 Trade Data & Price Trend (Jan 2025)

Argentina Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151219) Key Takeaways

Argentina's sunflower oil exports under HS Code 151219 in January 2025 reveal a premium-focused trade, with refined grades commanding higher prices (3.00 USD/kg) compared to bulk alternatives (2.73 USD/kg). The market opened steadily at $32.05 million, reflecting post-harvest momentum and stable global demand. Chile dominated as the top destination (53.65% value share), with Mexico and Costa Rica showing preference for higher-quality oil. The data highlights Argentina's strategic bifurcation—prioritizing premium markets while maintaining bulk flows. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for January 2025.

Argentina Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151219) Background

What is HS Code 151219?

HS Code 151219 refers to other sunflower seed or safflower oil, refined, a high-value edible oil used primarily in food processing, cooking, and industrial applications. Its global demand is driven by its versatility, long shelf life, and health benefits, making it a staple in consumer markets and food manufacturing. The product’s refined nature ensures it meets stringent quality standards, further solidifying its trade significance.

Current Context and Strategic Position

While no specific trade policy developments have emerged recently, sunflower oil markets remain sensitive to global commodity price fluctuations and supply chain dynamics. Argentina’s sunflower oil export sector is strategically vital, as the country ranks among the world’s top producers, leveraging its agricultural infrastructure to meet international demand. Monitoring Argentina’s sunflower oil export trends under HS Code 151219 is critical, as shifts in production or trade policies could impact global supply. Stakeholders must stay vigilant to maintain competitiveness in this volatile yet essential market.

Argentina Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151219) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's Sunflower Oil exports opened 2025 with a total value of $32.05 million in January. Shipments totaled 11.03 million kilograms at an average unit price of $2.91 per kilogram.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The performance reflects typical post-harvest activity as new crop supplies enter export channels. The sequential momentum from late 2024 likely carried into January, supported by steady global demand for vegetable oils and competitive pricing from Argentina's recent harvest. Currency exchange rates and international buyer replenishment cycles also influenced this stable opening to the year. The hs code 151219 value trend indicates a solid start, though broader quarterly movements will depend on crush rates and rival soft oil supplies.

Argentina Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151219) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Argentina's export of sunflower oil under HS Code 151219 in January 2025 is heavily concentrated in a specialized, higher-value product. The dominant sub-code, accounting for over half the total export value, is a refined sunflower oil product with a unit price of 3.00 USD/kg. This is significantly more expensive than the main bulk alternative, which trades at 2.73 USD/kg, indicating a clear market for a premium, processed grade.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous exports under Argentina's HS Code 151219 fall into two clear groups. The first is a high-volume, lower unit price category, representing the bulk of the physical weight shipped. The second is a set of even more specialized, higher-priced refined oils. This structure confirms the trade is not for a single fungible bulk commodity but for a range of differentiated products, with pricing directly tied to their level of refinement and quality grade.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This analysis of HS Code 151219 trade data shows that Argentina's export strategy for sunflower oil is bifurcated. Suppliers of the premium refined oil possess stronger pricing power due to product differentiation. For buyers, this means sourcing is not just about volume but about securing specific grades. The market structure suggests that strategic focus should be on the supply chains for these higher-value products to capture more value from Argentina's exports under this code.

Check Detailed HS Code 151219 Breakdown

Argentina Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151219) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In January 2025, Chile was the dominant destination for Argentina's Sunflower Oil exports, holding a 53.65% value share and a 51.86% weight share. The slightly higher value share compared to weight indicates that Chile receives slightly higher-grade or more refined versions of the oil, suggesting a preference for quality in this market.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top destinations form three clusters based on trade patterns. First, major bulk destinations like Chile, Colombia, and South Korea have high weight and value shares, reflecting large-volume imports for bulk consumption or processing. Second, premium markets such as Mexico and Costa Rica show value shares exceeding weight shares (e.g., Mexico: 5.23% value vs. 4.82% weight), indicating demand for higher-quality oil. Third, frequent small buyers including Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and the United States have high frequency shares relative to value (e.g., Paraguay: 9.16% frequency vs. 4.54% value), suggesting regular, smaller shipments for retail or fresh supply chains.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For forward strategy, Argentina should prioritize high-margin opportunities in premium markets like Mexico and Costa Rica by ensuring consistent quality. Optimizing logistics for frequent shipments to countries like Paraguay and Uruguay can reduce costs and improve efficiency. The analysis of HS Code 151219 trade data shows no impact from recent news, allowing focus on these strategic adjustments.

Table: Argentina Sunflower Oil (HS 151219) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Sunflower Oil Market Operation and Expansion

• Target premium markets like Mexico and Costa Rica with higher-value refined oil, as the hs code 151219 trade data shows they pay more per kilogram, increasing profit margins for the Argentina Sunflower Oil Export.
• Optimize logistics for frequent, smaller shipments to countries like Paraguay and Uruguay to lower per-shipment costs and strengthen relationships with regular buyers in the Sunflower Oil supply chain.
• Differentiate product offerings by clearly marketing quality grades, because the hs code 151219 trade data reveals a bifurcated market where refined oil commands a significant price premium.
• Monitor and secure the Sunflower Oil supply chain for high-value products to mitigate risks of disruption, ensuring consistent delivery to premium buyers and protecting the reputation of Argentina's Sunflower Oil Export.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Sunflower Oil Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Sunflower Oil Export 2025 January?

Argentina's Sunflower Oil exports in January 2025 reflect typical post-harvest activity, with steady global demand and competitive pricing from the recent harvest. The trade is bifurcated into bulk and premium refined products, with higher-value grades commanding stronger pricing power.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Sunflower Oil (HS Code 151219) 2025 January?

Chile dominates with 53.65% of the export value, followed by Colombia and South Korea for bulk shipments. Premium markets like Mexico and Costa Rica show higher value shares relative to weight, indicating demand for refined grades.

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

The price difference stems from product specialization—refined sunflower oil trades at 3.00 USD/kg, while bulk alternatives average 2.73 USD/kg. Premium markets pay more for higher-quality, processed grades.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-margin opportunities in premium markets (e.g., Mexico, Costa Rica) and optimize logistics for frequent small buyers (e.g., Paraguay, Uruguay) to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

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

Buyers in bulk markets (e.g., Chile) receive slightly higher-grade oil, while premium markets secure refined products. Frequent small buyers benefit from regular shipments tailored to retail or fresh supply chains.

Q6. How is Sunflower Oil typically used in this trade flow?

Sunflower Oil is primarily exported as both bulk commodity for large-scale consumption/processing and refined grades for premium retail or culinary use in destination markets.