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

Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Key Takeaways

Argentina’s sweetened milk exports under HS Code 0402 rebounded sharply to $80.46M in August 2025 after a July collapse, signaling supply chain stabilization. High-fat milk powder dominates, accounting for nearly 80% of export value, confirming its premium role in Argentina’s dairy trade. Brazil and Algeria drive demand, with Brazil absorbing 45% of shipments (mostly bulk) while Algeria commands higher-value orders. This analysis covers August 2025 and is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

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 referred to as sweetened milk. This product is widely used in food processing, dairy-based beverages, and confectionery industries due to its extended shelf life and versatility. Global demand remains stable, driven by its role as a cost-effective ingredient in both developed and emerging markets.

Current Context and Strategic Position

On April 16, 2025, Argentina enacted Decree 273/2025 to simplify the importation of used capital goods, signaling a broader push to modernize industrial infrastructure [Trade.gov]. While this policy focuses on imports, it underscores Argentina's commitment to enhancing production efficiency, which could indirectly benefit sweetened milk exports. Argentina's strategic position in HS Code 0402 trade data is strengthened by its competitive dairy sector and access to key export markets. Monitoring Argentina's sweetened milk export trends is critical, as shifts in production capacity or trade policies could impact global supply chains.

Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's sweetened milk exports for August 2025 reached $80.46 million USD, marking a significant recovery from the previous month's complete halt in shipments. This rebound suggests a potential stabilization in supply chains or a response to shifting international demand for the product.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Sweetened Milk Export trend exhibited considerable volatility throughout the first half of 2025. After a strong start, export values declined sharply from April's $90.41 million to a low of $45.20 million in June, before collapsing to zero in July. The subsequent rebound in August may be linked to broader trade policy adjustments. [On April 16, 2025, the Argentine government enacted Decree 273/2025 to simplify the importation of used capital goods], a move that could have improved operational efficiency for local dairy processors by easing access to affordable machinery (Trade.gov). This policy shift likely helped exporters regain momentum, supporting the recovery in the hs code 0402 value trend by reducing production costs and enhancing competitiveness.

Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Argentina's export of sweetened milk under HS Code 0402 in August 2025 is overwhelmingly dominated by high-fat milk powder without added sugar. This single product type, specifically milk and cream in powder form with over 1.5% fat content, accounts for nearly four-fifths of the total export value. Its significantly higher average unit price per kilogram compared to other forms confirms its role as the primary, high-value specialization within this category.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining exports are split into two clear tiers. The first is low-fat milk powder, which holds a smaller but still substantial value share. The second tier consists of various niche products, including sweetened high-fat powder and liquid concentrated milk, which together contribute a minor portion of the total. This structure, centered on bulk dairy powders with clear fat-content specifications, points to a trade in standardized, commodity-like products where price is heavily linked to fat content and form rather than complex branding.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For players analyzing Argentina's HS Code 0402 trade data, this structure suggests that pricing power is tied to producing the high-fat, powder form. Exporters should focus their strategy on this high-value segment to maximize returns. The market for Argentina's exports under this code is clearly grade-driven, making fat content and dryness the key competitive factors for suppliers.

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

Check Detailed HS Code 0402 Breakdown

Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In August 2025, Argentina's exports of Sweetened Milk were heavily concentrated, with Brazil as the dominant destination, accounting for 45.49% of the export value and 74.45% of shipment frequency. Brazil's value share is lower than its quantity share of 56.74%, indicating a focus on bulk or lower-priced variants of Sweetened Milk. The high frequency suggests frequent, small-ticket shipments, likely for retail or fresh supply chains. Algeria is another key player with a 43.28% value share but only 24.08% quantity share, pointing to demand for higher-grade or premium Sweetened Milk products.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top destinations for Argentina's Sweetened Milk exports can be grouped into two clusters based on trade patterns. The Volume Cluster includes Brazil, Uruguay, and Cameroon, where quantity shares are high relative to value (e.g., Uruguay has 9.93% quantity share but only 0.94% value share), suggesting bulk purchases for mass consumption or processing. The High-Yield Cluster consists of Algeria, Nigeria, and Congo, where value shares exceed quantity shares (e.g., Algeria's value share is nearly double its quantity share), indicating niche markets for premium, higher-value Sweetened Milk. This split reflects varied demand, with bulk buyers prioritizing cost and volume, while premium markets focus on quality.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Argentina's Sweetened Milk export strategy, prioritizing high-margin markets like Algeria could boost profitability through premium product focus. Simultaneously, optimizing logistics for volume buyers like Brazil—ensuring efficient, frequent shipments—can secure bulk trade relationships. Supply chains should adapt to handle both high-frequency retail demands and bulk processing needs, leveraging Argentina's position in HS Code 0402 trade data to capture diverse market opportunities without direct policy shifts from the provided news.

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

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Sweetened Milk Market Operation and Expansion

• Focus production on high-fat milk powder without added sugar to align with the high-value specialization revealed in the HS Code 0402 trade data, as this product type commands the highest average unit price and is the core driver of profitability for Argentina's Sweetened Milk export.
• Optimize logistics for high-frequency, bulk shipments to Brazil by analyzing shipment frequency data to streamline the Sweetened Milk supply chain, ensuring cost-effective and reliable delivery to this dominant volume buyer to secure the trade relationship.
• Prioritize market development in high-yield destinations like Algeria and Nigeria by leveraging trade data to target premium product promotions, as these markets yield greater value per kilogram and can significantly boost overall export margins for Argentina's Sweetened Milk export.
• Diversify export destinations within the identified clusters to mitigate risk from over-reliance on a single market, using HS Code 0402 trade data to identify and develop new volume or premium buyers to create a more resilient and balanced trade portfolio.

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 August?

Argentina's sweetened milk exports rebounded to $80.46 million in August 2025 after a July halt, likely due to improved supply chain efficiency from a government decree easing machinery imports for dairy processors.

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

Brazil dominates with 45.49% of export value, followed by Algeria at 43.28%, while Uruguay and others account for smaller shares.

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

Price differences stem from product grades—Algeria buys premium high-fat milk powder, while Brazil focuses on lower-priced bulk variants.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-margin markets like Algeria for premium products and optimize logistics for Brazil’s high-frequency bulk demand.

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

Buyers in Brazil benefit from cost-efficient bulk shipments, while those in Algeria access higher-grade products at premium prices.

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

The trade centers on standardized dairy powders, primarily for mass consumption or processing, with fat content and dryness as key competitive factors.