Argentina - Thailand Trade 2025 Q1: Deficit & Volatility

Key Market Takeaways: Argentina - Thailand Trade

The bilateral trade relationship between Argentina and Thailand reflects growth with volatility and a persistent deficit in Q1 2025.

• Economic Pulse: Argentina posted a $380.53M trade deficit with Thailand, driven by imports ($463.15M) far outpacing exports ($82.62M). Volatility marked both sides, with sharp monthly swings eroding early-year gains.
• Exchange Structure: Argentina - Thailand trade statistics reveal a resource-for-tech imbalance—Argentina supplies raw materials (HS 99, 03) while Thailand dominates with machinery and vehicles (HS 87, 84).
• Strategic Interdependence: Highly complementary but unequal: Thailand holds the value-add advantage, while Argentina remains a bulk commodity supplier.

This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina-Thailand Trade Trend in Q1 2025

Argentina Export Performance: Shipments to Thailand

• Total Volume: $82.62M in Q1 2025.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • YoY growth was mixed, with January surging 86.22% but February and March declining (-8.66% and -6.84%, respectively).
• Key Volatility: March saw the sharpest MoM drop (-28.21%), eroding early-year gains.

Argentina Import Performance: Sourcing from Thailand

• Total Volume: $463.15M in Q1 2025.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • YoY growth peaked in January (+55.9%) but turned negative by March (-1.23%).
• Key Volatility: February recorded the highest monthly value ($176.40M, +16.11% MoM), while March plunged (-23.57% MoM).

Argentina - Thailand Trade Balance & Market Dynamics

• Net Position: Trade deficit of $380.53M (Imports exceeded exports).
• Relationship Status: Argentina remains heavily dependent on Thai imports, with exports failing to offset the imbalance.

Argentina Import Trend from Thailand 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**

Argentina Export Trend to Thailand 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**

Get Historical Argentina Thailand Trade Records

Argentina-Thailand Top Trading Products in Q1 2025

Argentina Export Profile: What Does Argentina Sell to Thailand

• Top Commodity: HS Code 99 (52.91% share) dominates exports, followed by HS Code 03 (43.60%).
• Demand Driver: Thailand likely imports these for industrial processing or raw material inputs, given their high share and lack of consumer goods in the top categories.
• Concentration: Extreme concentration—HS Codes 99 and 03 account for 96.51% of total exports to Thailand.

Argentina Import Profile: What Does Argentina Buy from Thailand

• Top Commodity: HS Code 87 (34.53% share) leads imports, with HS Code 84 (33.13%) close behind. These suggest machinery and vehicles.
• Dependency Nature: Critical technology dependency, as HS Codes 87 (vehicles) and 84 (machinery) are industrial enablers.

Argentina - Thailand Trade Relationship Dynamics

• The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity. Argentina exports raw materials (HS 99, 03) while importing high-value machinery and vehicles (HS 87, 84).
• Value Chain Position: Thailand holds the higher value-add position, supplying advanced industrial goods, while Argentina provides bulk commodities.

Import Analysis by Product: Thailand to Argentina (Source: yTrade)

Export Analysis by Product: Argentina to Thailand (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed Argentina-Thailand Trade HS Code Breakdown

Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations

Forecast for Argentina-Thailand Trade

The Argentina-Thailand trade relationship is likely to face continued volatility in Q2 2025, with Argentina’s export performance remaining unstable due to fluctuating demand for raw materials (HS 99, 03). Thailand’s imports of Argentine commodities may recover slightly if industrial demand rebounds, but the structural trade deficit will persist unless Argentina diversifies its export basket. Meanwhile, Argentina’s reliance on Thai machinery and vehicles (HS 87, 84) will keep imports elevated, reinforcing the resource-for-tech imbalance. Traders should prepare for uneven growth, with potential short-term dips before any sustained recovery.

Strategic Moves for Argentine Stakeholders

• Diversify Export Offerings: Argentine exporters must reduce dependence on HS 99 and 03 by identifying new high-demand sectors in Thailand, such as processed foods or specialty chemicals, to mitigate volatility.
• Lock in Long-Term Supply Contracts: Given Thailand’s critical role as a machinery supplier, Argentine importers should negotiate multi-year agreements to stabilize costs and hedge against price swings.
• Leverage Trade Promotion Programs: The Argentine government and trade bodies should aggressively market non-traditional exports in Thailand through targeted trade missions and incentives, aiming to rebalance the deficit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Argentina - Thailand trade perform in 2025 Q1?

Argentina's exports to Thailand totaled $82.62M, with mixed YoY growth, while imports from Thailand reached $463.15M, peaking in January but declining by March.

What are the top exports from Argentina to Thailand?

Argentina's top exports to Thailand are HS Code 99 (52.91% share) and HS Code 03 (43.60%), indicating a focus on raw materials or industrial inputs.

What does Argentina import from Thailand?

Argentina primarily imports HS Code 87 (vehicles, 34.53%) and HS Code 84 (machinery, 33.13%) from Thailand, reflecting a dependency on advanced industrial goods.

What is the trade balance between Argentina and Thailand?

Argentina recorded a trade deficit of $380.53M with Thailand in Q1 2025, as imports significantly exceeded exports.