Argentina Sweetened Milk Export Market -- HS Code 0402 Trade Data & Price Trend (Apr 2025)

Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Sweetened Milk Export under HS Code 0402 in April 2025 was dominated by high-fat, unsweetened milk powder, commanding 75% of trade value at $9.11/kg, with a niche sweetened variant priced at $18.32/kg. Export value softened to $90.41 million despite firming prices, signaling volume constraints amid steady demand. The buyer market is highly concentrated, relying on a few bulk purchasers, while Brazil accounted for 69% of exports, highlighting heavy geographic dependence. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for April 2025.

Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Background

What is HS Code 0402?

HS Code 0402 covers Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, commonly known as sweetened milk. This product is widely used in food manufacturing, confectionery, and dairy-based beverages due to its extended shelf life and versatility. Global demand remains stable, driven by its role as a cost-effective ingredient in processed foods and dairy products.

Current Context and Strategic Position

While no specific trade policy updates have been announced, Argentina's sweetened milk exports are influenced by global dairy price fluctuations and competitive pressures in key markets. Argentina holds strategic significance as a leading exporter of dairy products, with its sweetened milk trade benefiting from strong production capabilities and established supply chains. Monitoring hs code 0402 trade data is critical to assess shifts in demand, particularly in regions where Argentina's sweetened milk export competes with other major suppliers. Market vigilance remains essential to navigate evolving trade dynamics and maintain competitiveness.

Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Price Trend

Key Observations

In April 2025, Argentina's Sweetened Milk exports under HS code 0402 totaled 90.41 million USD, with a unit price of 8.41 USD per kg, marking a pullback in value from the previous month's peak.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Sweetened Milk Export trend displayed mixed signals in early 2025, with unit prices rising steadily from 7.65 USD/kg in January to 8.41 USD/kg in April, while export volumes saw volatility, dipping to 10.75 million kg in April after a March high. This sequential softening in volume amid firm pricing likely reflects seasonal inventory adjustments or shifting global demand patterns in the dairy sector, rather than any disruptive policy shifts. The hs code 0402 value trend underscores a market balancing price gains with volume constraints, potentially driven by factors like currency fluctuations or competitive pressures in key export destinations.

Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In April 2025, Argentina's export under HS Code 0402 is dominated by milk powder with over 1.5% fat content and no added sugar, which holds a 75% value share. According to yTrade data, this product commands a unit price of 9.11 USD per kilogram, indicating strong specialization in higher-fat, unsweetened varieties. An anomaly exists with a sweetened, high-fat product priced at 18.32 USD per kilogram, but it represents only a small portion of exports and is isolated from the main analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining exports primarily consist of milk powders grouped by fat content and sugar addition: low-fat versions with sugar average around 6 USD per kilogram, while high-fat without sugar variants are near 9 USD per kilogram. This structure points to a trade in bulk commodities, where products are largely fungible and price-driven by basic grade differences rather than complex value-add stages. HS Code 0402 trade data shows a clear split between standard and premium grades based on composition.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Exporters can leverage pricing power by focusing on high-fat, unsweetened products, which dominate the market. Strategic efforts should target niche, high-value segments like the anomalous sweetened product to capture premium margins. For Argentina's HS Code 0402 export, maintaining quality consistency in bulk grades is key to competitive advantage.

Table: Argentina HS Code 0402) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Brazil is the dominant destination for Argentina's Sweetened Milk exports in April 2025. It accounts for 68.79% of the total export value and 73.45% of the weight. The weight share is higher than the value share, indicating trade is skewed toward bulk or lower-margin product variants. Brazil also shows a very high frequency of shipments, with 83.62% of all transactions, pointing to a consistent, high-volume trade relationship.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining partners form two clear clusters. Algeria is a secondary bulk buyer, accounting for 21.80% of the value and 18.13% of the weight from far fewer shipments, suggesting larger, less frequent bulk contracts. The other eight countries form a transactional cluster. They collectively contribute minimal volume and value but have a higher frequency of small shipments. This pattern suggests these are smaller markets receiving regular, smaller consignments of Sweetened Milk, likely for retail or niche demand.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The heavy reliance on Brazil requires a stable supply chain optimized for high-volume, cost-effective logistics. The smaller, high-frequency shipments to numerous other destinations indicate a fragmented customer base. For future growth, Argentina's exporters could focus on developing higher-value product forms for these smaller markets to improve margins, as there is no specific trade news to suggest a change in this dynamic.

Table: Argentina Sweetened Milk (HS 0402) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Argentina Sweetened Milk (HS 0402) Buyers Analysis

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Argentina Sweetened Milk Export buyer market in April 2025 was highly concentrated. A small number of large, infrequent buyers dominated the trade value. The typical Argentina Sweetened Milk export transaction was a high-value, low-frequency shipment. This structure means a few key clients drive most of the revenue for this hs code 0402 trade data.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The profile of the dominant hs code 0402 buyer group points to direct-to-factory customers, likely large food manufacturers or major retail chains purchasing in bulk. The other three segments of buyers—smaller but regular importers, occasional small buyers, and very infrequent minor clients—play a supporting role. This mix shows the Argentina Sweetened Milk Export market relies heavily on big, strategic partners rather than a broad base of small clients.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For Argentine exporters, the sales strategy must focus on maintaining strong relationships with a few major buyers to secure large orders. The main risk is over-reliance on these key accounts; losing one could significantly impact export volumes. Diversifying into the smaller, more frequent buyer segments could stabilize revenue. With no major trade news affecting this period, the market follows its usual pattern, but exporters should watch for any changes in buyer demand or trade policies.

Check Full Sweetened Milk Buyer lists

Action Plan for Sweetened Milk Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 0402 trade data to diversify beyond Brazil by targeting smaller, high-frequency buyers in other markets to reduce reliance on a single dominant partner and stabilize export revenue.
• Develop a premium product line based on the high-value sweetened variant identified in the data to capture higher margins in niche segments of the Argentina Sweetened Milk Export market.
• Strengthen relationships with key bulk buyers through consistent quality and reliable delivery to secure large orders and maintain the core volume of the Sweetened Milk supply chain.
• Optimize logistics for the Sweetened Milk supply chain by segregating high-volume shipments to bulk buyers from smaller, frequent consignments to improve cost efficiency and service reliability.
• Monitor buyer frequency and order size patterns in hs code 0402 trade data to anticipate demand shifts and adjust production planning, preventing overstock or shortages.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Sweetened Milk Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Sweetened Milk Export 2025 April?

Argentina's Sweetened Milk exports saw a pullback in value in April 2025, with unit prices rising to 8.41 USD/kg while volumes dipped. This reflects seasonal demand shifts or inventory adjustments rather than disruptive policy changes.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Sweetened Milk (HS Code 0402) 2025 April?

Brazil dominates, accounting for 68.79% of export value, followed by Algeria (21.80%). The remaining 8 countries form a minor transactional cluster.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Argentina Sweetened Milk Export?

Price differences stem from product grades—high-fat, unsweetened variants average 9.11 USD/kg, while low-fat, sweetened versions trade near 6 USD/kg. Bulk shipments to Brazil skew toward lower-margin products.

Q4. What should exporters in Argentina focus on in the current Sweetened Milk export market?

Exporters should prioritize relationships with major bulk buyers (e.g., Brazil) while exploring niche premiums like the high-fat, sweetened product (18.32 USD/kg). Diversifying into smaller, frequent buyers could stabilize revenue.

Q5. What does this Argentina Sweetened Milk export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Brazilian buyers benefit from consistent bulk supply, while smaller markets receive niche or retail-focused shipments. Over-reliance on Argentina’s high-fat, unsweetened dominance may limit product variety for some buyers.

Q6. How is Sweetened Milk typically used in this trade flow?

Sweetened Milk exports are primarily bulk commodities for food manufacturing or retail, with grades split by fat content and sugar addition—high-fat, unsweetened variants dominate the trade.