Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export Market -- HS Code 1512 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)

Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export (HS 1512) Key Takeaways

Argentina's sunflower seed oil exports under HS code 1512 surged in Q3 2025, rebounding to $285.10 million by September after mid-year volatility, driven by a record harvest. Crude sunflower oil dominates, capturing 83% of export value as a high-volume bulk commodity, while refined variants remain niche. India is the top buyer, accounting for 57.45% of value but just 11.18% of volume, signaling premium pricing, while Chile leads in bulk shipments at 43.77% of weight. This analysis, covering Q3 2025, 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 not, but not chemically modified. This product is widely used in food processing, cooking, and industrial applications due to its high smoke point and nutritional profile. Global demand remains stable, driven by its versatility and health benefits compared to other edible oils.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In June 2025, Argentina significantly boosted sunflower oil and meal exports following a record harvest, as reported by [Ukragroconsult]. This surge underscores Argentina's role as a key supplier in the global sunflower oil market, particularly under HS Code 1512. The country's competitive pricing and high production capacity make it a strategic player, especially during periods of heightened demand. Monitoring Argentina's sunflower seed oil export trends is critical for stakeholders navigating this dynamic market. (Ukragroconsult)

Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export (HS 1512) Price Trend

Key Observations

In Q3 2025, Argentina's sunflower seed oil exports under HS code 1512 showed a volatile but ultimately positive trajectory, with values climbing from $0 in July to $285.10 million in September. This quarter's performance highlighted a recovery from mid-year disruptions, driven by underlying supply shifts.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export trend built on momentum from a strong first half, where values peaked at $387.56 million in April before declining in May and June. The rebound in August and September, with sequential growth of over 60% from August to September, reflects the impact of Argentina's record sunflower harvest in mid-2025, which boosted available supply for exports as reported by [ukragroconsult.com]. This seasonal harvest cycle typically fuels export activity in the latter part of the year, supporting the hs code 1512 value trend despite the brief July pause, likely due to logistical or reporting adjustments.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In Q3 2025, Argentina's export activities under HS Code 1512 are overwhelmingly concentrated in crude sunflower seed oil, with one sub-product dominating the trade. According to yTrade data, the product "Vegetable oils; sunflower seed or safflower oil and their fractions, crude, not chemically modified" holds over 83 percent of the total export value and accounts for nearly all the weight share, indicating a high-volume, bulk commodity specialization. The significant disparity between its high value share and lower quantity share suggests a higher unit price per kilogram, reinforcing its role as the primary export.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The export structure for Argentina's HS Code 1512 breaks down into two main categories: crude sunflower oil and refined or other vegetable oils. Crude oils dominate, while refined sunflower oils—described as "other than crude, whether or not refined"—represent smaller value shares, from 7.46 percent down to minimal levels, indicating a secondary market for processed goods. Minor entries like cotton-seed oil show limited diversification. This setup confirms a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where products are standardized and likely tied to global price indices rather than being differentiated finished goods.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Argentina's heavy reliance on crude sunflower seed oil exports under HS Code 1512 grants it strong pricing power in international markets, as it acts as a key supplier of a homogeneous commodity. Exporters should prioritize cost control and quality consistency to capitalize on this position, while buyers may need to engage in long-term contracts to ensure supply stability. The pattern revealed in HS Code 1512 trade data suggests that market players must monitor bulk commodity trends closely for strategic decisions.

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

India is the dominant buyer of Argentina's Sunflower Seed Oil exports in Q3 2025, taking 57.45% of the total export value. However, this value dominance contrasts sharply with its volume share of just 11.18%, indicating a trade focused on higher-grade or more processed variants of the oil. Chile is the volume leader, accounting for 43.77% of the total weight shipped but only 5.46% of the value, which points to large-volume purchases of a more basic product.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade partners form three clear clusters. The High-Yield Cluster includes India and Iraq, where the value share far exceeds the volume share, suggesting these markets pay a premium for quality. The Volume/Hub Cluster is led by Chile and includes Paraguay and Uruguay; these countries receive bulk shipments, likely for regional redistribution or further processing. The Transactional Cluster features the United States, Brazil, and Colombia, characterized by a high number of shipments relative to their value, which implies a supply chain built on frequent, smaller orders.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The strategy should focus on maintaining premium pricing in high-value markets like India while optimizing logistics for high-volume buyers in Chile. The significant volume shipped to Chile, as supported by news of a record Argentine sunflower harvest boosting exports [ukragroconsult.com], confirms the importance of this bulk trade lane. For HS Code 1512, this means ensuring efficient, large-scale shipping operations to serve volume hubs without compromising the ability to fulfill smaller, high-frequency orders for other partners.

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

• Prioritize premium pricing for India and Iraq using hs code 1512 trade data to track unit values, as these high-yield markets deliver superior margins for the Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil Export.
• Secure long-term, large-volume contracts with Chilean buyers to stabilize the Sunflower Seed Oil supply chain, ensuring predictable demand for bulk shipments and optimizing port logistics.
• Use shipment frequency data from the transactional cluster (e.g., USA, Brazil) to forecast demand for smaller, refined oil orders, preventing inventory overstock and enabling just-in-time production.
• Implement strict quality control protocols for all crude oil exports to protect Argentina's reputation as a reliable supplier, defending its pricing power in a homogeneous commodity market.
• Diversify export destinations within the high-value cluster identified in the hs code 1512 trade data to mitigate geopolitical risk and avoid over-reliance on any single market.

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 Q3?

Argentina's sunflower seed oil exports rebounded in Q3 2025 after mid-year disruptions, driven by a record harvest that boosted supply. The sequential growth of over 60% from August to September reflects this seasonal surge in export activity.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Sunflower Seed Oil (HS Code 1512) 2025 Q3?

India is the dominant buyer, accounting for 57.45% of export value, while Chile leads in volume with 43.77% of total weight shipped. Other key markets include Iraq, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

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

The price difference stems from product specialization—India and Iraq pay a premium for higher-grade or processed oil, while Chile and other volume hubs purchase bulk crude sunflower oil at lower unit prices.

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

Exporters should prioritize cost control and quality consistency to maintain pricing power in high-value markets like India while optimizing logistics for bulk buyers like Chile.

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

Buyers in India and Iraq can expect premium-quality oil at higher prices, while volume-focused markets like Chile benefit from stable bulk supply. Smaller-order buyers must plan for frequent shipments.

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

Argentina primarily exports crude sunflower seed oil as a bulk commodity, used for further processing or direct consumption in food industries. Refined variants cater to premium markets.

Detailed Monthly Report

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