Chile Fish Flour HS230120 Export Data 2025 Q1 Overview

Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 Q1 Export: Key Takeaways

Chile Fish Flour Export 2025 Q1 (HS Code 230120) reveals a dual-market strategy, with the US dominating high-value shipments ($1.40/kg) and China leading bulk volumes ($0.14/kg). Premium demand in developed markets contrasts sharply with commoditized flows to Asia, creating distinct supply chain priorities. Buyer concentration is split between high-margin contracts and cost-driven bulk orders, while export growth surged 12.5% mid-2025, signaling rising demand. This analysis covers Q1 2025, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 Q1 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. This product is a high-protein ingredient, driving demand from global livestock and aquaculture industries due to its nutritional value. Chile’s Fish Flour exports under this code are a critical component of its agro-industrial sector, leveraging its abundant marine resources.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Chile’s Fish Flour exports surged by 12.5% (from $52.4M to $59M) between June and July 2025, reflecting strong international demand [OEC World]. This growth aligns with global trends favoring sustainable protein sources. Chile’s strategic position as a leading exporter is bolstered by its robust fisheries sector and competitive pricing. However, market vigilance is essential, as trade dynamics can shift with fluctuating commodity prices and regulatory changes. Monitoring Chile Fish Flour HS Code 230120 Export 2025 Q1 performance will be key to identifying emerging opportunities or risks.

Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 Q1 Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Chile's Fish Flour exports under HS Code 230120 in 2025 Q1 reached a total value of approximately 33.33 million USD and a volume of 76.6 million kg, reflecting solid quarterly performance despite monthly fluctuations.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Q1 data shows notable volatility, with value surging in February to 16.35 million USD, likely driven by seasonal demand cycles in animal feed production, such as pre-harvest stock replenishment in agriculture. Volume increased steadily from January to March, rising from 21.99 million kg to 31.65 million kg, indicating robust export momentum and efficient supply chain responses to market needs.

External Context and Outlook

This upward trend in early 2025 aligns with broader sector growth, as Chile's animal feed exports, including similar products, saw a 12.5% increase in mid-2025 [OEC World], bolstered by stable trade frameworks like the EU-Chile agreement. Favorable global demand and reduced tariff barriers under such agreements (OEC World) support a positive outlook for continued export strength through the year.

Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 Q1 Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In 2025 Q1, Chile's export of Fish Flour under HS Code 230120 is heavily concentrated in sub-code 23012011, which represents nearly half of the total export value. This sub-code, describing flours, meals, and pellets of fish or aquatic invertebrates, commands a unit price of 1.01 USD per kilogram, the highest among all variants, indicating a specialized, premium product segment. According to yTrade data, two minor sub-codes, 23012029 and 23012090, show negligible shares and unit prices close to zero, so they are isolated as anomalies and excluded from further analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes for Chile Fish Flour HS Code 230120 Export in 2025 Q1 fall into three clear quality grades: high-grade (23012011 at 1.01 USD/kg), medium-grade (23012012 at 0.51 USD/kg), and low-grade (23012013 at 0.16 USD/kg). This structure points to a market for differentiated, quality-based commodities rather than uniform bulk goods, with prices directly tied to product grade and intended use.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Exporters should prioritize high-grade products like 23012011 to leverage stronger pricing power and higher margins. Chile's overall export strength in this sector is supported by a 12.5% increase in animal feed exports noted in mid-2025 [OEC World], suggesting sustained demand and competitive advantage for quality-focused strategies.

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Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 Q1 Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In Q1 2025, Chile's Fish Flour HS Code 230120 exports show the UNITED STATES as the dominant partner in value terms, with a 62.87% value share but only 19.57% weight share, indicating a focus on higher-grade products priced around $1.40 per kg. China Mainland leads in volume with a 40.04% quantity share and 37.06% weight share but a lower 10.84% value share, suggesting bulk, lower-value shipments at approximately $0.14 per kg. This disparity highlights a dual market strategy for Chile Fish Flour Export 2025 Q1, with premium segments in the US and mass commodity flows to China.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top partners form two clear clusters: high-value destinations like the US, Spain, and Netherlands, likely driven by demand for quality animal feed or human consumption in developed markets, and high-volume buyers like China and South Korea, probably for cost-efficient animal feed production. A third cluster includes smaller, steady importers such as the UK and Brazil, possibly for specialized agricultural or aquaculture needs, reflecting diverse but fragmented demand.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For suppliers, this geographic split means prioritizing US and EU markets for higher margins while maintaining efficient bulk logistics to Asia. Buyers should secure contracts early for premium grades, as Chile's fish flour exports grew 12.5% in mid-2025 [OEC World], indicating rising demand. Logistics must adapt to handle both perishable high-value shipments and cost-effective bulk transport.

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Chile Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 Q1 Export: Action Plan for Fish Flour Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Chile Fish Flour Export 2025 Q1 market under HS Code 230120 is defined by two core price drivers: product quality grade and extreme buyer concentration. High-grade products (like sub-code 23012011 at $1.01/kg) command premium prices, especially in markets like the US. Low-grade bulk shipments target high-volume buyers like China at lower margins. This creates a dual supply chain need: secure, high-value logistics for premium grades and cost-efficient bulk transport for commodity volumes. Heavy reliance on a single buyer group (92.89% of shipments) introduces significant supply chain risk if demand shifts.

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

• Prioritize production of high-grade HS Code 23012011 products. This leverages Chile's quality advantage and captures higher margins in markets like the US and EU.
• Use buyer frequency and volume data to negotiate long-term contracts with core high-volume clients. This secures stable demand and reduces market volatility risk from over-reliance on a few buyers.
• Analyze real-time shipment data to optimize logistics routes for both premium air/sea freight and bulk sea transport. This cuts costs and ensures product quality meets destination standards (e.g., freshness for the US, bulk for China).
• Diversify export destinations by targeting smaller, steady importers like the UK or Brazil with tailored grade offerings. This mitigates risk if major buyers reduce orders and taps into niche demand for specialized uses.
• Monitor global animal feed demand trends and adjust production mix quarterly. This aligns with growth areas (e.g., Chile's 12.5% export increase in mid-2025) and prevents inventory misallocation between grades.

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 Q1?

The surge in February 2025 to 16.35 million USD reflects seasonal demand cycles in animal feed production, while steady volume growth from January to March (21.99M kg to 31.65M kg) indicates robust export momentum. This aligns with Chile’s broader 12.5% increase in animal feed exports.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Chile Fish Flour Export 2025 Q1?

The US dominates with a 62.87% value share, followed by China Mainland at 10.84% value but 40.04% quantity share. Spain and the Netherlands form a secondary high-value cluster, while South Korea mirrors China’s bulk-trade role.

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

Prices vary by product grade: high-grade (23012011 at 1.01 USD/kg) targets the US and EU, while low-grade (23012013 at 0.16 USD/kg) flows to bulk buyers like China. The US’s $1.40/kg average confirms premium specialization.

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

Prioritize high-grade sub-code 23012011 for premium margins in the US/EU and maintain core relationships with dominant buyers, who control 100% of export value. Diversification is limited due to extreme buyer concentration.

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

US/EU buyers must secure high-grade contracts early due to rising demand, while Asian buyers benefit from stable bulk supply. All face reliance on Chile’s concentrated export structure, increasing negotiation risks.

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

Primarily for animal feed, evidenced by the 12.5% sector growth. High-grade products may target premium feed or human consumption, while low-grade serves cost-sensitive feed production.

Detailed Monthly Report

Chile HS230120 Export Snapshot 2025 MAR