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

Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Sweetened Milk Export under HS Code 0402 in June 2025 is dominated by high-fat unsweetened milk powder (74% of value), with premium segments offering higher margins. Export values have sharply declined since March, reflecting seasonal demand shifts. Buyer concentration poses risks, with major distributors driving bulk orders, while Brazil absorbs 90% of volume as a bulk buyer and Algeria emerges as a high-value niche. This analysis, covering June 2025, 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 known as sweetened milk. This product is widely used in food manufacturing, particularly in confectionery, dairy-based beverages, and processed foods, 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

While no specific trade policy announcements have recently impacted HS Code 0402, Argentina's sweetened milk export sector remains sensitive to global dairy price fluctuations and shifting trade dynamics. Argentina is a key player in this market, leveraging its robust dairy industry to supply sweetened milk to regions with growing demand, such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Monitoring hs code 0402 trade data is critical, as Argentina's export competitiveness hinges on production costs, exchange rates, and international commodity trends. Strategic vigilance is essential to navigate potential supply chain disruptions or shifts in buyer preferences.

Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Price Trend

Key Observations

In June 2025, Argentina's Sweetened Milk exports were valued at 45.20 million USD, reflecting a continued decline from the higher values seen earlier in the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Sweetened Milk Export trend showed strong performance in early 2025, with a peak of 111.94 million USD in March, but experienced a sharp sequential drop through April, May, and June. This decline in the hs code 0402 value trend may stem from seasonal inventory adjustments or shifts in global dairy demand, influenced by broader economic conditions in export markets.

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 June 2025 is heavily concentrated in high-fat, unsweetened milk powder (sub-code 04022110900), which accounts for 74% of the export value at a unit price of approximately 15.65 USD per kilogram. Minor sub-codes with extreme unit prices, such as one at 75.48 USD/kg and another at 1.12 USD/kg, are isolated from the main analysis due to their very small market share.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The main exports fall into three groups: high-fat unsweetened milk powder with unit prices from 6.55 to 15.65 USD/kg, low-fat sweetened milk powder at around 4.40 USD/kg, and premium sweetened milk powder with higher fat content priced between 32.07 and 41.85 USD/kg. This structure, revealed by HS Code 0402 trade data, points to a market for differentiated products rather than fungible commodities, with value tied to fat content and sweetening.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Exporters of the dominant high-fat unsweetened variant hold strong pricing power, but the diversity in Argentina's HS Code 0402 export offerings highlights opportunities in premium segments for better margins. Importers should prioritize sourcing based on specific grade requirements, as prices align closely with quality features like fat and sweetness levels.

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 June 2025, receiving 78.41% of all shipments by frequency and 57.07% by value. However, its share of total quantity is significantly higher at 89.97%. This gap, where the quantity share exceeds the value share, points to Brazil's role as a bulk buyer of more standard, lower-value variants of this product. The trade is characterized by high-frequency shipments, suggesting a well-established supply chain for this perishable food item.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The data reveals two distinct clusters beyond Brazil. Algeria forms a clear High-Yield Cluster, accounting for 31.28% of the total export value from just 4% of the quantity and 6.61% of shipment frequency. This profile indicates a market for premium, higher-value Sweetened Milk products. The remaining eight countries constitute a Fragmented Transactional Cluster. They collectively represent minimal volume and value but 15.42% of the total shipment frequency. This pattern is typical for perishable goods, where numerous small, frequent shipments are needed to serve various retail or regional markets while maintaining product freshness.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Argentina's Sweetened Milk export strategy, the priority should be a dual approach. The high volume to Brazil requires a focus on optimizing bulk logistics and cost efficiency to protect margins. Simultaneously, the high-value profile of the Algerian market presents a major opportunity to capture higher profits by promoting premium product lines. Managing the high frequency of small shipments to the other destinations will require efficient, flexible logistics to handle the operational complexity without eroding profitability.

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 June 2025 is concentrated among a few major players. The dominant group consists of buyers who place large, infrequent orders, accounting for the majority of the trade value. This defines the typical trade pattern for this market.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The profile of HS code 0402 buyers indicates an intermediated market, where major distributors and large retail chains act as the key intermediaries. The remaining three segments of buyers include some regular, smaller-volume importers and occasional purchasers, but these groups play a secondary role compared to the dominant high-value, low-frequency buyers.

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 few clients, making the business vulnerable to order delays or cancellations. No specific trade news affects this outlook for June 2025.

Check Full Sweetened Milk Buyer lists

Action Plan for Sweetened Milk Market Operation and Expansion

• Differentiate product offerings by fat and sweetening levels using hs code 0402 trade data to target premium markets like Algeria, increasing margins for Argentina's Sweetened Milk Export. Why: This captures higher value from quality-based pricing revealed in the data.
• Optimize bulk logistics for high-volume shipments to Brazil to reduce costs and protect margins in the Sweetened Milk supply chain. Why: Brazil's bulk buying role requires efficiency to maintain profitability.
• Strengthen relationships with major, infrequent buyers through regular engagement and data-driven insights to secure large orders and reduce dependency risks. Why: Buyer concentration analysis shows vulnerability to few clients, so this ensures stability.
• Use hs code 0402 trade data to identify and enter new high-value destinations, diversifying beyond dominant markets to boost overall export value. Why: This mitigates over-reliance on single markets and taps into premium opportunities.

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 June?

Argentina's Sweetened Milk exports declined sharply from a March 2025 peak of 111.94 million USD to 45.20 million USD in June, likely due to seasonal inventory adjustments or shifts in global dairy demand.

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

Brazil dominates with 78.41% of shipment frequency and 57.07% of export value, followed by Algeria (31.28% of value) and a fragmented cluster of eight minor markets.

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

Prices vary by product grade—Brazil buys bulk, lower-value high-fat unsweetened milk powder (~15.65 USD/kg), while Algeria imports premium sweetened variants (32.07–41.85 USD/kg).

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

Exporters should prioritize bulk logistics for Brazil, target premium buyers in Algeria, and maintain relationships with dominant distributors to mitigate reliance on few large clients.

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

Brazilian buyers benefit from stable bulk supply, while Algerian importers access high-margin products. Smaller markets face logistical complexity due to frequent, small shipments.

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

Sweetened Milk exports are primarily differentiated by fat content and sweetening, serving both bulk industrial uses (Brazil) and premium retail segments (Algeria).