Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco Export Market -- HS Code 240120 Trade Data & Price Trend (Jun 2025)

Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco Export (HS 240120) Key Takeaways

Argentina's unmanufactured tobacco exports under HS Code 240120 in June 2025 were dominated by semi-processed, bulk-grade product, with Belgium absorbing 85% of shipments—highlighting extreme buyer concentration. The market cooled after a strong start to the year, with exports dropping to $24.34 million amid post-harvest normalization. Exporters must prioritize cost-efficient bulk logistics to Belgium while exploring niche buyers for premium margins. This analysis covers June 2025 and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco Export (HS 240120) Background

What is HS Code 240120?

HS Code 240120 refers to unmanufactured tobacco, stemmed or stripped, a raw agricultural product primarily used in the production of cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco-based goods. Global demand remains stable due to its essential role in the tobacco manufacturing industry, particularly in markets with established cigarette production. The product’s trade is driven by factors like regional cultivation conditions, quality standards, and pricing competitiveness.

Current Context and Strategic Position

While no specific trade policy announcements have recently impacted Argentina's unmanufactured tobacco exports, the sector remains sensitive to global commodity price fluctuations and shifting demand patterns in key importing markets. Argentina holds strategic significance as a leading exporter of high-quality unmanufactured tobacco, leveraging its favorable growing conditions and established supply chains. Monitoring HS Code 240120 trade data is critical to anticipate market shifts, especially as Argentina competes with other major producers like Brazil and Zimbabwe. Vigilance is essential to maintain its competitive edge in this globally traded commodity.

Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco Export (HS 240120) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's unmanufactured tobacco exports in June 2025 were valued at 24.34 million USD, continuing a downward trend from the peak observed earlier in the year. This performance highlights a shift in the hs code 240120 value trend, with no immediate recovery signals.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina unmanufactured tobacco export trend showed strong growth through April, reaching 46.37 million USD, but declined sequentially in May and June. This pattern aligns with typical post-harvest inventory cycles, where exports surge after the first-quarter harvest and then moderate as stocks normalize. The recent dip may reflect broader macroeconomic factors, such as fluctuating global demand or currency volatility, rather than specific policy shifts. Overall, the hs code 240120 value trend indicates a cooling phase after a robust start to the year.

Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco Export (HS 240120) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Argentina's export of unmanufactured tobacco under HS Code 240120 in June 2025 is highly concentrated. The sub-code for Tobacco; partly or wholly stemmed or stripped (24012040000) dominates, accounting for nearly 63% of the total export value and 68% of the quantity shipped. This strong market share points to a specialized focus on this specific processing stage.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The trade structure is simple, with both major sub-codes representing the same product description: partly or wholly stemmed or stripped tobacco. This lack of variety suggests Argentina's export under HS Code 240120 primarily consists of a standardized, bulk commodity. The trade is typical for unprocessed agricultural goods, where volume and consistent quality are key, rather than highly differentiated finished products.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For exporters, this structure implies that pricing power is likely tied to production scale and efficiency, not product uniqueness. Success in Argentina's HS Code 240120 export market depends on securing large-volume contracts and maintaining cost competitiveness. Analyzing HS Code 240120 trade data shows that strategic focus should remain on optimizing the supply chain for this dominant, semi-processed grade to capture value.

Check Detailed HS Code 240120 Breakdown

Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco Export (HS 240120) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Argentina's unmanufactured tobacco exports in June 2025 were heavily concentrated. Belgium was the dominant destination, taking 85% of the total export value and 85% of the quantity. The near-identical value and quantity shares confirm this trade is overwhelmingly bulk-oriented, with no significant premium product differentiation for this primary buyer.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The importers form three clear groups. Belgium stands alone as the volume hub cluster, handling massive bulk shipments. A mid-tier cluster includes the Netherlands, Portugal, and Chile; they show balanced value and quantity shares, indicating steady demand for standard-grade product. The remaining countries, like Canada and Vietnam, form a niche cluster. Their higher value share relative to quantity suggests they purchase smaller amounts of potentially higher-value leaf.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The strategy must prioritize securing the high-volume supply chain to Belgium, as any disruption there would significantly impact overall exports. For growth, Argentina should focus on the niche cluster buyers who may pay more for specialized grades. Logistics should be optimized for large-scale, cost-effective bulk shipments to the European hub, which drives the market. No specific trade news or policy was announced to alter this dynamic.

Table: Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco (HS 240120) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Unmanufactured Tobacco Market Operation and Expansion

• Secure high-volume contracts with Belgium's primary buyers using hs code 240120 trade data to track their order patterns, ensuring stable demand for Argentina's Unmanufactured tobacco Export and mitigating the risk of major revenue loss from a single dominant market.
• Diversify exports by targeting niche cluster buyers like Canada and Vietnam with tailored, higher-grade offerings identified through trade data, capturing premium margins and reducing over-reliance on bulk sales for the Unmanufactured tobacco supply chain.
• Optimize the Unmanufactured tobacco supply chain for cost-effective bulk shipping to Europe by negotiating long-term freight contracts, directly lowering logistics expenses that impact the final price competitiveness of Argentina's Unmanufactured tobacco Export.
• Leverage hs code 240120 trade data to monitor global commodity price indexes and quality standards, aligning Argentina's production with real-time market expectations to maintain its role as a reliable, large-scale supplier.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Unmanufactured tobacco Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Unmanufactured tobacco Export 2025 June?

Argentina's unmanufactured tobacco exports declined to 24.34 million USD in June 2025, continuing a downward trend from earlier peaks. This reflects post-harvest inventory cycles and potential macroeconomic factors like global demand shifts or currency volatility.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Unmanufactured tobacco (HS Code 240120) 2025 June?

Belgium dominated, absorbing 85% of Argentina's export value and quantity. Mid-tier buyers like the Netherlands, Portugal, and Chile accounted for steady demand, while niche markets (e.g., Canada, Vietnam) purchased smaller, potentially higher-value volumes.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Argentina Unmanufactured tobacco Export?

Price differences stem from trade structure: Belgium’s bulk shipments of standardized, semi-processed tobacco (24012040000, 63% of value) contrast with niche buyers who may pay premiums for specialized grades.

Q4. What should exporters in Argentina focus on in the current Unmanufactured tobacco export market?

Exporters must prioritize securing high-volume contracts with Belgium while optimizing supply chains for cost efficiency. Targeting niche buyers (e.g., Canada, Vietnam) could diversify revenue with higher-value grades.

Q5. What does this Argentina Unmanufactured tobacco export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Belgium’s dominance ensures stable bulk supply, but niche buyers benefit from access to specialized grades. Buyers should monitor Argentina’s post-harvest cycles to align procurement with price fluctuations.

Q6. How is Unmanufactured tobacco typically used in this trade flow?

Argentina’s exports are primarily semi-processed (partly or wholly stemmed/stripped), used as raw material for further manufacturing, such as cigarette production or blending in tobacco products.