Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export Market -- HS Code 1512 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)

Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export (HS 1512) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Sunflower Seed Oil exports under HS Code 1512 surged in Q1 2025, with value tripling to $337 million by March despite falling unit prices, driven by post-harvest volume growth. The trade is dominated by crude, unmodified oil (75% of exports), priced at $2.18/kg, reflecting a bulk commodity market tied to global indices. India commands a third of shipments, signaling heavy reliance on a single buyer, while Chile’s high-frequency, low-volume imports suggest niche demand. This analysis covers 2025 Q1 and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export (HS 1512) Background

What is HS Code 1512?

HS Code 1512 covers sunflower-seed, safflower, or cotton-seed oil and their fractions, whether refined or unrefined but not chemically modified. This product is a key commodity in global food and industrial markets, widely used in cooking, food processing, and biodiesel production. Its demand remains stable due to its versatility and health benefits compared to other vegetable oils.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Global commodity price volatility and shifting trade dynamics continue to influence the sunflower oil market. Argentina, as one of the world's top exporters of sunflower seed oil, plays a critical role in meeting international demand, particularly in Europe and Asia. The country's competitive production costs and favorable climate strengthen its position in the hs code 1512 trade data landscape. With no major policy shifts announced, market participants must monitor Argentina's sunflower seed oil export trends closely to anticipate supply chain adjustments and pricing fluctuations. Vigilance is essential to navigate this strategically significant trade flow.

Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export (HS 1512) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's Sunflower Seed Oil exports opened 2025 with robust growth, with total export value surging from $105.48 million in January to $337.13 million by March. This performance in the hs code 1512 value trend was achieved despite a declining average unit price, which fell from $2.39/kg to $2.04/kg over the quarter.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export trend gained strong momentum through Q1. Export value more than tripled from January to February and then saw further growth into March. This sequential expansion was primarily driven by a substantial increase in shipment volumes, which rose over 270% during the period, more than compensating for the softer pricing. The trend aligns with the typical post-harvest export cycle for the commodity, as new crop supplies from the Southern Hemisphere harvest hit the global market and met steady international demand for vegetable oils. The price pressure likely reflects this increased availability and competitive pricing to capture market share.

Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export (HS 1512) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In 2025 Q1, Argentina's export under HS Code 1512 is dominated by crude sunflower seed oil, which is not chemically modified. According to yTrade data, this crude oil sub-code makes up over three-quarters of the total export value and weight, with a unit price of 2.18 USD per kilogram, indicating a strong focus on bulk commodity trade.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining exports under HS Code 1512 fall into two main groups: crude oils and refined oils. Crude oils, with unit prices around 2-2.6 USD per kilogram, represent the bulk of the trade and are likely fungible commodities. Refined oils, with higher unit prices up to 3.17 USD per kilogram, suggest some value addition through processing, but the overall structure points to a market driven by standard grades rather than highly differentiated products.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This market structure implies that pricing power for Argentina's HS Code 1512 exports is largely tied to global commodity indices due to the dominance of crude oils. For market players, focusing on efficiency in bulk handling could be key, while the refined segment offers a niche for higher margins through processing, though it remains a smaller part of the trade.

Table: Argentina HS Code 1512) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 1512 Breakdown

Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export (HS 1512) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In Q1 2025, Argentina's exports of Sunflower Seed Oil under HS Code 1512 were heavily concentrated, with India as the dominant destination, holding a 33.51% value share. India's value and weight shares are nearly equal at 33.51% and 33.63%, indicating balanced trade for bulk Sunflower Seed Oil, while its low frequency share of 5.15% points to infrequent, large shipments typical for commodity exports.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top destinations form two main clusters based on trade patterns. The bulk cluster includes India, Iraq, and Brazil, where high value and weight shares suggest these countries are major importers for industrial or mass consumption. Chile stands out with a 37.48% frequency share but lower value and weight shares, indicating high-frequency, small shipments that likely serve retail or niche markets for Sunflower Seed Oil, possibly due to proximity or demand for fresher supplies.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To strengthen Argentina's Sunflower Seed Oil exports, focus on maintaining strong ties with bulk buyers like India to ensure stable demand. For high-frequency destinations like Chile, optimize logistics to handle smaller, frequent shipments efficiently, reducing costs. This approach supports capturing steady revenue from key markets while adapting to varied import needs.

Table: Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil (HS 1512) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Sunflower Seed Oil Market Operation and Expansion

• Monitor India's bulk purchase patterns using hs code 1512 trade data to anticipate demand spikes and secure long-term contracts, ensuring stable revenue for Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export.
• Optimize logistics for high-frequency buyers like Chile by streamlining port operations and shipping schedules, reducing costs in the Sunflower Seed Oil supply chain for smaller, frequent orders.
• Increase investment in refining capacity to produce higher-value processed oils, capturing niche markets and improving margins beyond bulk commodity pricing.
• Diversify export destinations beyond top partners by analyzing trade flows, mitigating risks from over-reliance on single markets in the Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export strategy.
• Use real-time hs code 1512 trade data to adjust pricing dynamically based on global sunflower oil indices, maintaining competitiveness while protecting profitability.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Argentina's Sunflower Seed Oil exports surged in Q1 2025 due to a 270% volume increase, driven by post-harvest supply from the Southern Hemisphere. Despite falling unit prices (from $2.39/kg to $2.04/kg), strong global demand for vegetable oils supported the growth.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil (HS Code 1512) 2025 Q1?

India dominated with a 33.51% value share, followed by Iraq and Brazil, forming a bulk import cluster. Chile stood out with high shipment frequency (37.48%) but smaller volumes, likely serving niche markets.

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

Price differences stem from product grades: crude oils (bulk, $2–2.6/kg) dominate, while refined oils (higher-value, up to $3.17/kg) cater to niche markets like Chile’s frequent small shipments.

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

Prioritize efficiency in bulk handling for major buyers (India, Iraq, Brazil) while optimizing logistics for high-frequency, small shipments (e.g., Chile) to reduce costs and capture niche margins.

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

Bulk buyers (India, Iraq) benefit from stable, large-scale supply tied to global commodity prices, while niche buyers (Chile) gain flexibility with frequent, smaller shipments of potentially higher-grade oil.

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

Crude sunflower oil (75% of exports) is traded as a bulk commodity for industrial or mass consumption, while refined oils serve retail or specialized markets requiring higher-quality products.

Detailed Monthly Report

Argentina HS1512 Export Snapshot 2025 JAN

Argentina HS1512 Export Snapshot 2025 FEB