Argentina Sweetened Milk Export Market -- HS Code 0402 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q2 2025)
Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Key Takeaways
Argentina's sweetened milk exports under HS Code 0402 collapsed sharply in Q2 2025, plummeting to $93.84M USD from $202.35M USD in Q1, signaling severe market disruption. The trade is dominated by high-fat concentrated milk powder without sugar, commanding premium prices (18.58 USD/kg) and stronger pricing power compared to lower-fat alternatives. Brazil absorbs 82% of shipments by frequency but receives bulk, lower-value products, while Algeria drives higher margins with smaller, premium-volume trades. This analysis covers Q2 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 refers to 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 exports are influenced by broader macroeconomic factors, including fluctuating dairy commodity prices and shifting global supply chains. Argentina holds a strategic position as a key exporter, leveraging its robust dairy sector to meet international demand, particularly in regions with limited domestic production capacity. Monitoring Argentina's sweetened milk export trends under HS Code 0402 trade data is critical for stakeholders navigating this competitive and price-sensitive market. Vigilance remains essential to capitalize on emerging opportunities and mitigate risks in the evolving trade landscape.
Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) Price Trend
Key Observations
Argentina's Sweetened Milk Export trend showed a sharp contraction in Q2 2025, with total export value falling to $93.84M USD. This represents a significant decline from the $202.35M USD recorded in the first quarter.
Price and Volume Dynamics
The hs code 0402 value trend reversed sharply after a strong start to the year. While exports peaked in March at $111.94M USD, April began showing weakness before May and June saw volumes collapse entirely. This pattern suggests either a major shift in global demand patterns or possible supply chain disruptions within Argentina's dairy sector. The abrupt nature of the decline points to external market factors rather than gradual seasonal changes, potentially related to shifting international buyer behavior or competitive pressures from other dairy-exporting nations.
Argentina Sweetened Milk Export (HS 0402) HS Code Breakdown
Product Specialization and Concentration
In Q2 2025, Argentina's export under HS Code 0402 is heavily concentrated in high-fat concentrated milk powder without added sugar. According to yTrade data, the sub-code for dairy produce with fat content exceeding 1.5% and no sugar (04022110900) dominates with a 74.9% value share and an average price of 18.58 USD per kilogram, significantly higher than lower-fat alternatives priced around 12.80 USD per kilogram. One sub-code with incomplete price data was isolated from the analysis due to its minimal volume.
Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis
The remaining exports fall into two main categories: standard high-fat concentrated milk without sugar and various low-fat milk powders, some with added sweeteners. The price range from 3.89 to 28.12 USD per kilogram indicates a mix of bulk commodities and more differentiated products, suggesting that trade involves both standardized items and goods with quality or formulation variations rather than purely fungible bulk shipments.
Strategic Implication and Pricing Power
This structure implies that producers of higher-priced, specialized items like high-fat unsweetened powder have stronger pricing power, while those in competitive low-fat segments face more pressure. For businesses, focusing on premium or unique formulations under HS Code 0402 trade data could enhance profitability in Argentina's export market.
Table: Argentina HS Code 0402) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Product Description | Value | Frequency | Quantity | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 040221***** | Dairy produce; milk and cream, concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content exceeding 1.5% (by weight) | 138.06M | 543.00 | 9.08M | 7.43M |
| 040210***** | Dairy produce; milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content not exceeding 1.5% (by weight) | 23.82M | 238.00 | 5.32M | 1.86M |
| 040221***** | Dairy produce; milk and cream, concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content exceeding 1.5% (by weight) | 9.18M | 39.00 | 1.85M | 527.42K |
| 0402** | ******** | ******** | ******** | ******** | ******** |
Check Detailed HS Code 0402 Breakdown
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 Q2 2025, receiving 82% of all shipments by frequency and 64% by value. The trade structure shows a clear bulk orientation; Brazil's share of total export weight (73.45%) is significantly higher than its share of total value (64.03%). This gap indicates that shipments to Brazil consist of larger volumes of lower-value, bulk sweetened milk products rather than premium, finished goods.
Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes
The remaining export partners form two distinct clusters. The first is a High-Yield Cluster, consisting solely of Algeria. It accounts for a large portion of the export value (25.34%) with a relatively small share of the total weight (18.13%), signaling demand for higher-value or more specialized sweetened milk products. The second is a Transactional Cluster, which includes Peru, Côte d'Ivoire, Venezuela, and Cameroon. These countries have low frequency but notable value shares, pointing to smaller, less regular shipments that likely serve specific retail or niche market demands.
Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications
The export profile for Argentina's sweetened milk, classified under HS Code 0402, demands a dual strategy. For the bulk trade with Brazil, the focus must be on optimizing supply chain and logistics to maintain cost efficiency for high-volume shipments. Conversely, the higher-value trade with partners like Algeria presents an opportunity to capture more margin. Export strategy should prioritize nurturing these premium relationships to balance the overall trade mix and increase profitability.
Table: Argentina Sweetened Milk (HS 0402) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)
| Country | Value | Quantity | Frequency | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRAZIL | 117.97M | 14.09M | 763.00 | 7.90M |
| ALGERIA | 46.68M | 1.07M | 41.00 | 1.95M |
| PERU | 3.68M | 2.31K | 12.00 | 153.00K |
| CÔTE D'IVOIRE | 2.81M | 410.38K | 11.00 | 155.42K |
| VENEZUELA | 2.46M | 100.50K | 8.00 | 214.80K |
| CAMEROON | ****** | ****** | ****** | ****** |
Get Complete Destination Countries Profile
Action Plan for Sweetened Milk Market Operation and Expansion
- Prioritize logistics partnerships for bulk shipments to Brazil using hs code 0402 trade data to identify high-volume corridors, ensuring cost efficiency for the Argentina Sweetened Milk Export market's dominant flow.
- Develop a premium product strategy for high-yield markets like Algeria by analyzing buyer specifications in the trade data, capturing higher margins per kilogram shipped.
- Diversify the export portfolio by targeting transactional cluster countries with smaller, specialized shipments to reduce over-reliance on a single bulk partner and spread risk.
- Continuously monitor hs code 0402 trade data for shifts in buyer frequency and product mix, allowing for agile adjustments to production and the Sweetened Milk supply chain to meet real-time demand.
- Leverage trade data to negotiate better terms with logistics providers for the Sweetened Milk supply chain, securing capacity for both bulk and high-value shipments to maintain a balanced and profitable operation.
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 Q2?
Argentina's sweetened milk exports collapsed sharply in Q2 2025, dropping to $93.84M USD from $202.35M USD in
Q1. The abrupt decline suggests external market factors, such as global demand shifts or supply chain disruptions, rather than seasonal trends.
Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Sweetened Milk (HS Code 0402) 2025 Q2?
Brazil dominates as the primary destination, receiving 82% of shipments by frequency and 64% by value. Algeria follows as a high-yield market, accounting for 25.34% of export value despite a smaller weight share.
Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Argentina Sweetened Milk Export?
Price differences stem from product specialization—high-fat concentrated milk powder without sugar (04022110900) averages $18.58/kg, while lower-fat or sweetened variants trade at $12.80/kg or less. Bulk shipments to Brazil also drive lower average prices.
Q4. What should exporters in Argentina focus on in the current Sweetened Milk export market?
Exporters should optimize bulk supply chains for Brazil while prioritizing premium relationships with high-value markets like Algeria to balance profitability. Diversifying away from over-reliance on Brazil could mitigate risk.
Q5. What does this Argentina Sweetened Milk export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?
Brazilian buyers benefit from cost-efficient bulk shipments, while Algerian buyers access higher-value products. Smaller markets (e.g., Peru, Côte d’Ivoire) likely receive niche or retail-focused shipments.
Q6. How is Sweetened Milk typically used in this trade flow?
Sweetened milk exports under HS Code 0402 include both bulk commodities for industrial use and specialized formulations (e.g., high-fat unsweetened powder) for premium food manufacturing or retail consumption.
Detailed Monthly Report
Argentina HS0402 Export Snapshot 2025 APR
Argentina Sweetened Milk Export Market -- HS Code 0402 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)
Argentina's sweetened milk (HS Code 0402) exports surged in Q1 2025, with prices rising to $8.26/kg, led by high-fat milk powder. Brazil dominates shipments, while Algeria offers premium yields. Data from yTrade.
Argentina Sweetened Milk Export Market -- HS Code 0402 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)
Argentina’s sweetened milk (HS Code 0402) exports surged in Q3 2025, with high-fat powder driving 80% of trade value and Algeria-Brazil as key markets, per yTrade data.
