Chile Canned Seafood HS1605 Export Data 2025 Q1 Overview

Chile Canned Seafood (HS 1605) 2025 Q1 Export: Key Takeaways

Chile’s Canned Seafood (HS Code 1605) exports in 2025 Q1 reveal a premium-driven market, with the US dominating as the high-value destination—accounting for 33.46% of export value but just 14.76% of weight, signaling strong demand for top-grade products. Spain leads in bulk shipments, while smaller EU markets serve niche roles, highlighting a dual-strategy opportunity for exporters. This analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, underscores the need to prioritize US premium segments and optimize bulk logistics for Europe.

Chile Canned Seafood (HS 1605) 2025 Q1 Export Background

Chile’s Canned Seafood (HS Code 1605), covering prepared or preserved crustaceans, molluscs, and aquatic invertebrates, serves global food retail and hospitality sectors due to its long shelf life and high protein demand. With 129 Chilean suppliers exporting HS 1605 to the U.S. [Volza], the 2025 Q1 trade landscape sees shifts like Chile’s new 19% VAT on imports [KMDelivered] and EU-Chile trade rules requiring RUT numbers [EC Taxation], tightening compliance for exporters. Chile remains a key player, leveraging FTAs and high-quality seafood production to meet steady global demand.

Chile Canned Seafood (HS 1605) 2025 Q1 Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Chile Canned Seafood HS Code 1605 Export in 2025 Q1 exhibited sharp price volatility, with the unit price surging to 1.20 USD/kg in February before dropping to 0.76 USD/kg in March, while volume steadily increased from 12.66M kg in January to 20.65M kg in March.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The monthly trends within Q1 show a 52% month-over-month price increase in February, likely driven by seasonal demand cycles in the canned seafood industry, such as post-holiday inventory replenishment in key markets. Volume grew consistently by 63% from January to March, indicating robust export activity and strong buyer interest, which helped offset the price dip in March and supported overall value stability.

External Context and Outlook

Regulatory factors, including the EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement requiring Tax Identification Numbers for origin claims [Taxation-Customs], may have influenced export documentation timing. The absence of new tariffs on HS 1605 under the US-Chile FTA (Trade.gov) and expanded market access in Taiwan (FDA.gov) provided a favorable backdrop, supporting the volume growth despite price fluctuations.

Chile Canned Seafood (HS 1605) 2025 Q1 Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In Q1 2025, Chile's Canned Seafood exports under HS Code 1605 are overwhelmingly dominated by mussel preparations, specifically the sub-code for "Mollusc preparations; mussels, prepared or preserved." This product accounts for nearly three-quarters of the export value and over 95% of the weight, with a low unit price of 0.71 USD per kilogram, highlighting its role as a high-volume, low-value bulk commodity. An extreme price anomaly is present in the abalone sub-code, which shows a unit price of 0.00 USD per kilogram and is isolated from the main analysis due to its irregular data.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous sub-codes fall into two clear categories based on value-add stage. First, high-value crustacean preparations like shrimps and prawns command unit prices around 20-21 USD per kilogram, indicating a more processed, premium segment. Second, other mollusc preparations such as pastes and meals have lower unit prices ranging from 0.52 to 3.08 USD per kilogram, representing intermediate value products. This structure shows that Chile's Canned Seafood export market blends fungible bulk commodities with differentiated, manufactured goods, relying on both mass volume and niche, higher-grade offerings.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For Chile Canned Seafood HS Code 1605 Export 2025 Q1, pricing power is limited for bulk mussels due to their commodity nature, making them vulnerable to market swings, while shrimp products offer better margin potential. Exporters should focus on expanding high-value segments to mitigate risks. According to bcentral.cl, Chilean exports face a 10% tariff on some products to the US, which could pressure competitiveness for price-sensitive items, underscoring the need for diversification into less tariff-affected, premium goods.

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Chile Canned Seafood (HS 1605) 2025 Q1 Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In 2025 Q1, the UNITED STATES is the dominant market for Chile Canned Seafood HS Code 1605 exports, accounting for 33.46% of the total value but only 14.76% of the weight. This high value-to-weight disparity indicates that the US imports premium, high-grade products, with an estimated unit price significantly above average for this category.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top importers form three clusters: the US stands alone as the premium market due to strong demand for quality seafood. Spain, Italy, and France represent a bulk standard cluster, with Spain's high quantity share (25.86% of weight) but lower value ratio suggesting larger volumes of mid-range products. Smaller countries like Greece and the Netherlands likely serve niche or regional distribution roles, with balanced ratios pointing to specialized or efficient trade flows.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Exporters should prioritize the US premium segment and ensure compliance with trade agreements like the US-Chile FTA for duty-free access [trade.gov]. For EU markets, maintain origin documentation as required by the EU-Chile agreement (taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu). Supply chains must adapt to high-value demands in key markets while optimizing logistics for bulk shipments to Europe.

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Chile Canned Seafood (HS 1605) 2025 Q1 Export: Action Plan for Canned Seafood Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

For Chile Canned Seafood Export 2025 Q1 under HS Code 1605, price is driven by two main factors. Bulk mussel products face commodity price pressures due to high volume and low unit value. Premium shrimp products benefit from specification-based pricing and large contract volumes with key buyers. Supply chain implications include ensuring secure raw material sourcing for consistency. Processing hubs must handle both mass production for bulk and quality control for premium goods. Logistics need optimization for high-volume shipments to Europe and high-value deliveries to the US.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Canned Seafood Market Execution

• Analyze buyer purchase frequency data to forecast demand cycles and adjust production schedules. This prevents inventory overstock and reduces waste, ensuring efficient resource use.
• Monitor tariff changes and free trade agreement compliance for key markets like the US and EU. It protects profit margins by avoiding unexpected costs and maintaining market access.
• Diversify export portfolios towards high-value shrimp products using sales data. This mitigates risks from bulk commodity price volatility and increases overall profitability.
• Optimize shipping routes based on geographic data for premium and bulk segments. It lowers logistics costs and improves delivery reliability to different market clusters.
• Strengthen relationships with dominant high-value buyers through personalized contract insights. This secures stable revenue and reduces dependency on a few clients, enhancing resilience.

Take Action Now —— Explore Chile Canned Seafood Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Chile Canned Seafood Export 2025 Q1?

The export saw sharp price volatility, with a 52% surge in February followed by a March dip, while volume grew steadily by 63%. This reflects seasonal demand cycles and strong buyer activity, offsetting price fluctuations.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Chile Canned Seafood Export 2025 Q1?

The US dominates with 33.46% of export value, followed by Spain (25.86% of weight) and other EU markets like Italy and France, forming distinct premium and bulk clusters.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Chile Canned Seafood Export 2025 Q1 partner countries?

Prices vary due to product mix: bulk mussels (0.71 USD/kg) drive low-value shipments, while premium shrimp/prawn preparations (20-21 USD/kg) skew US imports toward higher unit prices.

Q4. What should exporters in Chile focus on in the current Canned Seafood export market?

Prioritize high-value buyers (72.31% of value) and diversify into premium segments like shrimp to mitigate reliance on bulk mussels and tariff risks in price-sensitive markets.

Q5. What does this Chile Canned Seafood export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

US buyers access premium products, while EU bulk buyers secure cost-effective volumes. All must monitor Chile’s reliance on key buyers, which could affect supply stability.

Q6. How is Canned Seafood typically used in this trade flow?

Bulk mussels serve as commodity ingredients, while processed shrimp/prawns target retail or foodservice, reflecting a dual strategy of volume and value-added exports.

Detailed Monthly Report

Chile HS1605 Export Snapshot 2025 JAN

Chile HS1605 Export Snapshot 2025 FEB

Chile HS1605 Export Snapshot 2025 MAR