Chile - Argentina Trade 2025 Q1: Deficit & Resource Exchange
Key Market Takeaways: Chile - Argentina Trade
The bilateral trade relationship between Chile and Argentina shows growth with high volatility in Q1 2025.
- Economic Pulse: Chile posted a $1.65B trade deficit with Argentina ($256.53M exports vs. $1.91B imports), driven by erratic import swings (-5.35% YoY drop in March).
- Exchange Structure: Chile - Argentina trade statistics reveal a resource-for-resource exchange—Chile ships agricultural goods (21% edible fruits) while relying heavily on Argentine mineral fuels (47% of imports).
- Strategic Interdependence: The relationship hinges on basic commodity complementarity, with neither side dominating high-value sectors.
This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.
Chile-Argentina Trade Trend in Q1 2025
Chile Export Performance: Shipments to Argentina
- Total Volume: $256.53M in Q1 2025.
- Growth Trend & Context: YoY growth remained positive but decelerated sharply, from +69.57% in January to +42.63% in March. No trade policy changes were reported to explain this slowdown.
- Key Volatility: February saw a -2.7% MoM drop, the steepest monthly decline in the quarter.
Chile Import Performance: Sourcing from Argentina
- Total Volume: $1.91B in Q1 2025.
- Growth Trend & Context: Volatile YoY performance, peaking at +42.18% in February before contracting -5.35% in March. No news events contextualize this swing.
- Key Volatility: March imports fell -10.4% MoM, the sharpest monthly drop.
Chile - Argentina Trade Balance & Market Dynamics
- Net Position: Chile ran a trade deficit of $1.65B (Imports $1.91B > Exports $256.53M).
- Relationship Status: Heavy reliance on Argentine imports, with exports dwarfed by inbound shipments.
Chile Import Trend from Argentina 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 635.89M | 2.3% | 33.25% |
| Feb | 674.19M | 6.02% | 42.18% |
| Mar | 604.07M | -10.4% | -5.35% |
| Total | 1.91B | - | - |
Chile Export Trend to Argentina 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 87.62M | 6.12% | 69.57% |
| Feb | 85.26M | -2.7% | 60.79% |
| Mar | 83.65M | -1.88% | 42.63% |
| Total | 256.53M | - | - |
Get Historical Chile Argentina Trade Records
Chile-Argentina Top Trading Products in Q1 2025
Chile Export Profile: What Does Chile Sell to Argentina
- Top Commodity: HS Code 08 (Edible fruit and nuts) dominates with 21.19% share.
- Demand Driver: Argentina likely imports these for direct consumption or food processing, reflecting Chile's strength in agricultural exports.
- Concentration: No single category exceeds 50%, but HS Code 08’s 21% share indicates moderate reliance on one sector.
Chile Import Profile: What Does Chile Buy from Argentina
- Top Commodity: HS Code 27 (Mineral fuels, oils) accounts for 46.77% of imports, a near-majority share.
- Dependency Nature: Chile’s heavy reliance on Argentine mineral fuels suggests energy security dependency, possibly for industrial or transportation needs.
Chile - Argentina Trade Relationship Dynamics
- The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Resource Complementarity. Chile exports agricultural goods (HS 08) while importing energy (HS 27), indicating a swap of primary commodities rather than advanced manufacturing or tech.
- Value Chain Position: Both sides trade low-value-added goods (agriculture, fuels), with neither holding a clear high-value position. This suggests a basic, resource-driven trade dynamic.
Import Analysis by Product: Argentina to Chile (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 895.29M | 46.77% |
| 10 | 198.80M | 10.39% |
| 23 | 123.00M | 6.43% |
| 15 | 99.26M | 5.19% |
| 87 | 95.62M | 5.00% |
| 17 | 44.51M | 2.33% |
| 02 | 42.04M | 2.20% |
| 38 | 32.10M | 1.68% |
| 39 | 29.04M | 1.52% |
| 04 | 28.55M | 1.49% |
Export Analysis by Product: Chile to Argentina (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 08 | 54.37M | 21.19% |
| 74 | 20.80M | 8.11% |
| 39 | 18.94M | 7.38% |
| 84 | 14.11M | 5.50% |
| 03 | 11.04M | 4.30% |
| 27 | 10.95M | 4.27% |
| 87 | 10.17M | 3.96% |
| 20 | 10.17M | 3.96% |
| 73 | 9.72M | 3.79% |
| 76 | 7.38M | 2.88% |
Check Detailed Chile-Argentina Trade HS Code Breakdown
Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations
Forecast
Chile’s trade deficit with Argentina is likely to persist in Q2 2025, driven by continued reliance on Argentine mineral fuels (HS 27) and sluggish export growth in edible fruits (HS 08). The deceleration in Chile’s export growth signals softening demand or competitive pressures, while volatile import trends suggest potential supply-side disruptions in Argentina. Traders should prepare for price fluctuations in energy commodities and monitor Argentina’s domestic production capacity for early warning signs of tighter supply.
Strategic Moves
- Diversify Energy Suppliers: Reduce dependency on Argentine mineral fuels by exploring contracts with alternative producers (e.g., Brazil, the U.S.) to mitigate supply chain risks.
- Boost High-Value Agri-Exports: Capitalize on Chile’s competitive edge in edible fruits by targeting premium markets in Argentina, such as organic or processed food segments, to offset slowing volume growth.
- Lock In Fuel Contracts: Given Argentina’s erratic export performance, Chilean importers should secure fixed-price agreements for HS 27 commodities to hedge against sudden price spikes or shortages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Chile - Argentina trade perform in 2025 Q1?
Chile's exports to Argentina grew YoY but slowed sharply, totaling $256.53M, while imports from Argentina were volatile, reaching $1.91B.
What are the top exports from Chile to Argentina?
The top export from Chile to Argentina is Edible fruit and nuts (HS Code 08), accounting for 21.19% of shipments.
What does Chile import from Argentina?
Chile primarily imports Mineral fuels and oils (HS Code 27) from Argentina, making up nearly half (46.77%) of total imports.
What is the trade balance between Chile and Argentina?
Chile recorded a trade deficit of $1.65B with Argentina in Q1 2025, driven by significantly higher imports than exports.
Chile - Argentina Trade 2024 Q4: Deficit & Energy Dependence
Chile's trade deficit with Argentina hit $1.67B in Q4 2024, driven by energy imports. Explore Chile-Argentina trade trends and top trading products via yTrade data.
Chile - Argentina Trade 2025 Q2: Energy Deficit Widens
Chile's trade deficit with Argentina hits $1.51B in Q2 2025, driven by energy imports. Explore Chile Argentina trade trends and top trading products via yTrade data.
