Chile Fish Flour HS230120 Export Data 2025 April Overview

Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 April Export: Key Takeaways

Chile's Fish Flour Export (HS Code 230120) in 2025 April reveals a premium-grade market, with the US dominating as a high-value buyer (50.36% value share) despite lower weight volume, signaling demand for quality feed. Bulk purchases from China and South Korea contrast sharply, highlighting a split between premium and cost-driven markets. The US's outsized role underscores geographic concentration risk, while Chile's ability to maintain quality standards remains critical for high-value trade. This analysis, covering April 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 April Export Background

What is HS Code 230120?

HS Code 230120 refers to Flours, meals, and pellets; of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. This product is primarily used as animal feed, particularly in aquaculture and livestock industries, due to its high protein content and nutritional value. Global demand remains stable, driven by the growing aquaculture sector and the need for sustainable protein sources. Chile, a major exporter of fishmeal and related products, plays a significant role in meeting this demand, especially in markets like the EU and the U.S.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In April 2025, Chile's Fish Flour (HS Code 230120) exports operated under stable trade policies, including the EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement (effective February 2025), which requires exporters to comply with updated origin certification and tax identification (RUT) declarations for preferential tariff treatment [FreightAmigo]. Mid-2025 data showed a 12.5% increase in Chile's fishmeal exports, reflecting rising global demand [OEC World].

Chile's strategic position is reinforced by its duty-free access to the U.S. under the U.S.-Chile FTA and streamlined customs procedures under the 2025 HS code updates [International Trade Administration]. No new export restrictions were reported for April 2025, but exporters must remain vigilant to maintain compliance with evolving trade agreements. The Chile Fish Flour HS Code 230120 Export 2025 April landscape highlights Chile's role as a key supplier in the global animal feed market, with growth potential tied to sustainable aquaculture trends.

Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 April Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In April 2025, Chile's Fish Flour exports under HS Code 230120 reached a value of $5.59 million with a volume of 32.79 million kg, marking a notable decline in value from the previous month.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The MoM comparison shows a sharp drop in export value from $11.83 million in March to $5.59 million in April, while volume edged up slightly from 31.65 million kg to 32.79 million kg. This points to lower unit prices, likely driven by seasonal softness in animal feed demand during this period, as agricultural cycles often lead to reduced purchasing. The volatility aligns with typical industry patterns where supply and demand fluctuate based on fishing and farming seasons.

External Context and Outlook

The decline may be partly offset by favorable trade conditions under the EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement [FreightAmigo], which supports export stability. With reports of a 12.5% surge in similar exports from June to July 2025 (OEC World), the April dip appears temporary, and Chile Fish Flour HS Code 230120 Export 2025 April is expected to rebound as global demand for animal feed strengthens.

Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 April Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Chile's Fish Flour exports under HS Code 230120 in April 2025 are dominated by the high-value sub-code 23012011, which specializes in flours, meals and pellets of fish or crustaceans, capturing over half the export value at 0.61 USD per kilogram. This sub-code shows a strong focus on premium products, as evidenced by its high unit price compared to others. An extreme price anomaly is present in sub-code 23012013, with a unit price of only 0.02 USD per kilogram, indicating a low-grade or bulk variant that is isolated from the main analysis due to its negligible value contribution.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The market structure reveals two main product grades: a premium grade represented by sub-code 23012011 with higher unit prices, and a standard grade from sub-code 23012012 at 0.24 USD per kilogram. This differentiation suggests that Chile's Fish Flour exports are not purely fungible commodities but involve value-added processing, catering to varied market segments with distinct quality levels. The presence of these grades points to a trade in differentiated goods rather than uniform bulk products.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, the emphasis on higher-value grades like 23012011 enhances pricing power and margin potential, advising a strategic focus on quality upgrades and niche markets. Stable trade policies, such as those under the EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement, support continued export growth by ensuring tariff benefits and market access [FreightAmigo]. This alignment with trade agreements reinforces Chile's position in the global Fish Flour market for 2025.

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Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 April Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Chile's Fish Flour HS Code 230120 Export in 2025 April shows the UNITED STATES as the dominant buyer, with a value share of 50.36% despite a lower weight share of 19.37%, indicating a higher unit price and premium product grade for this commodity. This disparity suggests that the US imports higher-quality fish flour, likely for specialized animal feed, while other markets may focus on bulk purchases.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top partners form two clusters: high-value buyers like the US, Spain, and the UK with elevated value-to-weight ratios, pointing to demand for quality feed in developed markets, and bulk buyers like China and South Korea with high quantity shares but unreported value, suggesting mass consumption for industrial use. This split reflects varying regional needs, with premium markets prioritizing product specifications and bulk buyers seeking cost efficiency.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Chile, maintaining quality standards is key to serving high-value markets, supported by trade agreements like the EU-Chile deal [FreightAmigo] that facilitate exports. Supply chains should prioritize reliable shipping for bulk buyers while leveraging growth trends, such as the mid-2025 export increase noted by OEC World, to expand reach without new restrictions in April.

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Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 April Export: Action Plan for Fish Flour Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Chile Fish Flour Export 2025 April under HS Code 230120 reveals two core price drivers: product quality grade and buyer concentration. Premium sub-codes like 23012011 command higher prices, especially in markets like the United States. Frequent, high-volume buyers dominate trade value but create dependency risk. Supply chains must prioritize reliable bulk shipping for standard grades while ensuring quality control for premium segments. This balance secures Chile's role as a processing hub for differentiated fish flour products.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Fish Flour Market Execution

• Segment buyers by purchase frequency and value using trade data. This identifies core clients for contract renewals and spots occasional bulk buyers for revenue diversification.
• Analyze HS Code 230120 sub-codes to track premium versus standard product demand. Adjust production mix toward higher-value grades to capture better margins in markets like the US and EU.
• Monitor partner country import patterns monthly. Shift excess bulk inventory to high-quantity buyers like China if premium demand slows, avoiding stockpile costs.
• Leverage trade agreement benefits under the EU-Chile deal for tariff reduction. Target premium buyers in Spain and the UK with certified quality shipments to secure long-term contracts.

Take Action Now —— Explore Chile Fish Flour Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Chile Fish Flour Export 2025 April?

The sharp 53% MoM drop in export value to $5.59 million reflects seasonal softness in animal feed demand, despite a slight volume increase. Premium-grade sub-code 23012011 maintains pricing power, but bulk buyers shifted to lower-value purchases.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Chile Fish Flour Export 2025 April?

The United States dominates with 50.36% of export value, followed by Spain and the UK as high-value buyers. China and South Korea are key bulk purchasers, though their value shares are unreported.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Chile Fish Flour Export 2025 April partner countries?

Premium sub-code 23012011 (0.61 USD/kg) serves the US and EU for specialized animal feed, while bulk buyers like China purchase standard-grade 23012012 (0.24 USD/kg) for industrial use.

Q4. What should exporters in Chile focus on in the current Fish Flour export market?

Prioritize long-term contracts with dominant high-frequency buyers (74.88% of volume) while exploring occasional bulk purchasers to mitigate over-reliance on a few clients.

Q5. What does this Chile Fish Flour export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

US/EU buyers secure premium-grade supply at stable tariffs, while bulk buyers benefit from Chile’s capacity for high-volume shipments, though with less price transparency.

Q6. How is Fish Flour typically used in this trade flow?

Primarily for animal feed, with premium grades (e.g., 23012011) targeting specialized nutrition and standard grades (e.g., 23012012) serving industrial-scale operations.