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

Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco Export (HS 240120) Key Takeaways

Argentina's unmanufactured tobacco exports under HS Code 240120 in May 2025 reveal a highly specialized trade, dominated by premium stemmed/stripped tobacco (75% of value), signaling strong pricing power. Exports dipped slightly to $39.62M after April's surge, reflecting seasonal normalization post-harvest. Belgium absorbed 75% of shipments as a bulk processing hub, creating geographic concentration risk. This analysis, covering May 2025, 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. Its global demand remains stable due to the entrenched consumption patterns in both developed and emerging markets. The product’s value chain is heavily influenced by regulatory environments and shifting consumer preferences toward alternatives like vaping.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina’s recent overhaul of food import rules, including streamlined paperwork for high-sanitary-standard countries like the U.S., signals a broader push to facilitate trade [FAS USDA]. This policy shift could indirectly benefit Argentina’s unmanufactured tobacco export sector by reducing logistical bottlenecks. As a key global supplier under HS Code 240120, Argentina’s trade data reflects its competitive edge in raw tobacco production, driven by favorable climate conditions and cost-efficient farming practices. Market vigilance is critical, however, as global anti-smoking campaigns and tariff fluctuations pose risks to long-term demand.

Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco Export (HS 240120) Price Trend

Key Observations

In May 2025, Argentina's unmanufactured tobacco exports reached 39.62 million USD, showing a slight decrease from April's high but maintaining strong overall performance for the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Unmanufactured tobacco Export trend exhibited significant momentum shifts, with values dropping sharply in February to 2.49 million USD before surging to 46.37 million USD in April, likely driven by post-harvest shipment cycles typical for tobacco. The modest pullback in May aligns with seasonal normalization after peak export periods. This volatility was partly mitigated by Argentina's February policy update to simplify food import rules, as reported by [USDA], which fostered a more trade-friendly environment that supported sustained high values for hs code 240120 despite monthly fluctuations.

Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco Export (HS 240120) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for May 2025, Argentina's export of unmanufactured tobacco under HS Code 240120 is overwhelmingly concentrated in one specific type. The product 'Tobacco; partly or wholly stemmed or stripped' (HS Code 24012040000) dominates, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the total export value. This high concentration points to a specialized market segment where this particular form commands the trade.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining trade is entirely made up of the same product description under a different sub-code (24012030000), suggesting a market split likely based on quality grade or a subtle processing distinction within stemmed/stripped tobacco. The structure of Argentina's HS Code 240120 export data shows a trade in differentiated goods, not a fungible bulk commodity, with the market clearly separating higher-value from lower-value offerings.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This analysis of HS Code 240120 trade data indicates that Argentina's export strength lies in a specific, high-value grade of processed tobacco. Suppliers of the dominant product likely hold significant pricing power. For market players, the strategic focus should be on securing supply chains for this premium segment to capitalize on Argentina's established position in this niche.

Check Detailed HS Code 240120 Breakdown

Argentina Unmanufactured Tobacco Export (HS 240120) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Argentina's exports of Unmanufactured tobacco in May 2025 were heavily concentrated, with Belgium as the dominant destination. Belgium accounted for 75.22% of the export value and 75.50% of the quantity, indicating a balanced trade in bulk raw materials without significant premium pricing. The high frequency share of 55.88% suggests regular, high-volume shipments, typical for commodity trade like Unmanufactured tobacco, where Belgium likely serves as a key distribution or processing point. Germany's minimal share is negligible and can be disregarded due to anomalous data.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export partners can be grouped into two clusters based on trade data for HS Code 240120. The Volume Cluster includes Belgium, which dominates both value and quantity, pointing to its role as a major hub for bulk Unmanufactured tobacco, possibly for re-export or processing in Europe. The Secondary Markets Cluster consists of countries like the United States, Portugal, and Brazil, with lower but consistent shares, indicating diversified demand for raw tobacco across regions. This clustering reflects Argentina's reliance on a primary bulk buyer alongside smaller, stable markets for Unmanufactured tobacco exports.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To enhance Argentina's Unmanufactured tobacco export performance, focus should remain on strengthening ties with high-volume partners like Belgium, optimizing logistics for cost-effective bulk shipments. Exploring growth in secondary markets could provide stability. Supply chains should prioritize efficiency in handling regular, large consignments to maintain competitiveness in global tobacco trade. No relevant news context was integrated, as the provided information did not directly support shifts in these export patterns.

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

• Use hs code 240120 trade data to identify and secure contracts for the dominant, high-value product grade (24012040000), as this is the core driver of price and value for the Argentina Unmanufactured tobacco Export.
• Prioritize and strengthen the Unmanufactured tobacco supply chain logistics with Belgium, optimizing for high-volume, cost-effective bulk shipments to maintain competitiveness with this primary bulk buyer.
• Analyze the secondary markets from the trade data to strategically diversify exports, mitigating over-reliance on a single hub and creating a more resilient trade portfolio.
• Continuously monitor the hs code 240120 trade data for any shifts in buyer frequency or emerging geopolitical risks in key regions to proactively manage supply security and pricing.

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 May?

Argentina's unmanufactured tobacco exports saw a slight decline in May 2025 after a surge in April, reflecting typical post-harvest shipment cycles. The volatility is balanced by strong overall performance, supported by Argentina's simplified trade policies for food exports.

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

Belgium dominates Argentina's exports, accounting for 75.22% of the value and 75.50% of the quantity. Secondary markets like the U.S., Portugal, and Brazil show smaller but consistent demand.

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

The price difference stems from Argentina's specialization in high-grade stemmed/stripped tobacco (HS Code 24012040000), which commands premium pricing, while other sub-codes cater to bulk commodity trade.

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

Exporters should prioritize securing supply chains for the premium stemmed/stripped tobacco segment while maintaining efficient bulk shipments to high-volume partners like Belgium.

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

Buyers in Belgium benefit from stable, large-volume supply, while secondary markets offer diversification opportunities for consistent but smaller-scale procurement.

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

Argentina's exports are primarily processed as stemmed/stripped tobacco, indicating use in further manufacturing, such as cigarette production or premium tobacco blends.