Chile Fish Flour HS230120 Export Data 2025 May Overview

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

Chile Fish Flour (HS Code 230120) exports in May 2025 reveal a market split between high-value and bulk buyers, with the US paying premium prices for quality product while China dominates volume at lower costs. The US, Spain, and the Netherlands form a high-value cluster, signaling strong demand for premium animal feed, while smaller markets like Brazil remain niche. Exports grew 12.5% to $59 million by July 2025, reflecting stable demand and growth potential. This analysis covers May 2025 and is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 May Export Background

What is HS Code 230120?

HS Code 230120 covers flours, meals, and pellets of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates, primarily used in animal feed and aquaculture industries. This product is a high-protein ingredient critical for livestock, poultry, and fish farming, driving steady global demand due to its nutritional value and cost-effectiveness. Chile's Fish Flour exports under HS Code 230120 are a key component of its agro-industrial sector, leveraging the country's robust fishing industry and export-oriented economy.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Chilean exports of animal feed products, including Fish Flour (HS Code 230120), surged by 12.5% from June to July 2025, reaching $59 million [OEC World]. This growth reflects strong international demand, particularly from aquaculture markets. Chile's strategic position as a leading exporter is reinforced by its competitive pricing and adherence to trade agreements like the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement [eCFR]. With 2025 marking continued volatility in global commodity markets, May trade data for Chile Fish Flour HS Code 230120 will be critical to monitor for shifts in export performance and policy impacts.

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

Key Observations

In May 2025, Chile's exports of Fish Flour under HS Code 230120 reached $8.11 million in value and 45.29 million kg in volume, marking a significant recovery from the previous month's lows.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The May figures show a strong month-over-month increase, with value up by approximately 45% and volume by 38% compared to April 2025. This rebound aligns with typical seasonal patterns in the fish processing industry, where production and export volumes often fluctuate due to fishing cycles and processing timelines. The data from January to May 2025 reveals volatility, with a peak in February, a decline in March and April, and a recovery in May, suggesting that inventory build-ups or demand shifts in animal feed markets are driving these changes.

External Context and Outlook

The upward trend in May is supported by broader market dynamics. According to [OEC World], Chilean exports of animal feed products surged by 12.5% from June to July 2025, indicating sustained international demand. This context points to a positive outlook for Chile Fish Flour HS Code 230120 Export 2025 May, with expectations of continued strength in global feed ingredient markets.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In May 2025, Chile's Fish Flour exports under HS Code 230120 are heavily concentrated in the sub-code 23012011, which represents a high-value product with a unit price of $0.52 per kg. According to yTrade data, this sub-code accounts for over half of the export value, indicating a focus on specialized, premium-grade fish flour. The anomaly sub-code 23012090 is isolated due to its negligible volume and value, not affecting the main analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into three clear categories based on unit price and value share: premium grade (23012011 at $0.52/kg), standard grade (23012012 at $0.19/kg), and bulk commodity grade (23012013 at $0.04/kg). This price spread shows a structured value chain with differentiated products, moving from high-value processed goods to low-cost bulk materials, rather than uniform commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For exporters, the high value share of premium products like 23012011 grants Chile strong pricing power in the Fish Flour market. Strategic efforts should prioritize quality control and marketing of higher-grade exports to maintain this edge. This approach aligns with the overall growth trends in Chile's animal feed exports, supporting sustained competitiveness in 2025.

Check Detailed HS 230120 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

For Chile Fish Flour HS Code 230120 Export 2025 May, China is the top importer by volume with a 48.74% weight share, but the United States leads in value with a 70.45% share, paying a higher unit price per kilogram. This disparity suggests the US buys higher-grade product, while China purchases bulk, lower-cost commodity.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The US, Spain, and the Netherlands form a high-value cluster with value ratios exceeding weight ratios, likely due to demand for premium animal feed. China, Denmark, and South Korea comprise a volume cluster with high weight shares but lower value intensity, indicating mass-market feed use. Smaller importers like Brazil and the Philippines have low shares, pointing to limited or niche markets.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Chile should focus on supplying premium grades to high-value markets like the US and maintain bulk exports to China. Exports grew 12.5% to $59 million by July 2025 [OEC World], so leveraging this demand requires efficient logistics and quality control to sustain growth.

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Chile Fish Flour Export 2025 May under HS Code 230120 operates a tiered value chain. Price is driven by product grade: premium (23012011) commands $0.52/kg, while bulk (23012013) sells at $0.04/kg. The United States pays premium prices for high-grade feed, while China buys bulk volume. Supply chain success depends on maintaining quality differentiation. Chile acts as a processing hub, not a commodity supplier. This specialization creates pricing power but also risk from over-reliance on frequent bulk buyers.

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

• Prioritize premium sub-code 23012011 exports to the United States. Use real-time trade data to align production with high-value demand. This maximizes revenue per kilogram.
• Secure long-term contracts with frequent high-volume buyers. Analyze buyer frequency patterns to lock in stable orders. This reduces revenue volatility from spot market shifts.
• Diversify into occasional bulk buyers in markets like Spain. Target buyers with large but infrequent orders using trade intelligence. This expands the customer base without over-dependence.
• Monitor China’s bulk orders for volume trends. Track weight and value ratios to anticipate demand swings. This prevents inventory surplus or shortfalls.
• Invest in quality certification for premium grades. Use data to prove product superiority to high-value markets. This defends price premiums against competitors.

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 May?

The rebound in May 2025, with a 45% value and 38% volume increase from April, reflects seasonal fishing cycles and demand shifts in animal feed markets. The volatility aligns with broader growth trends, including a 12.5% surge in Chile’s animal feed exports.

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

China dominates volume (48.74% share), while the US leads in value (70.45% share). Spain and the Netherlands form a high-value cluster, while Denmark and South Korea focus on bulk purchases.

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

Price differences stem from product grades: the US buys premium-grade fish flour (sub-code 23012011 at $0.52/kg), while China purchases bulk commodity-grade (sub-code 23012013 at $0.04/kg).

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

Exporters must prioritize premium-grade sales to high-value markets like the US and nurture relationships with frequent bulk buyers, who drive 88.31% of export value.

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

US buyers secure high-quality supply, while Chinese buyers benefit from cost-effective bulk options. Frequent bulk buyers have stable access, but infrequent buyers face spot-market dependency.

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

Fish flour is primarily used as a protein-rich ingredient in animal feed, with premium grades for specialized diets and bulk grades for mass-market feed production.