Chile Fish Meal HS2301 Export Data 2025 February Overview

Chile Fish Meal (HS 2301) 2025 February Export: Key Takeaways

Chile's Fish Meal Export (HS Code 2301) in February 2025 reveals a premium product structure, with the US dominating as a high-value market (81.08% of export value) at USD 1.75/kg, while China absorbs bulk volumes at just USD 0.12/kg. Buyer concentration is high, with the US alone accounting for over 80% of export value, signaling market risk but also premium positioning. Geographic focus remains sharply tilted toward the US, with Europe forming a secondary cluster for specialized demand. This analysis, covering February 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile Fish Meal (HS 2301) 2025 February Export Background

Chile Fish Meal (HS Code 2301: Flours, meals and pellets of meat or fish; greaves) is a key protein source for aquaculture and livestock feed, driving steady global demand. The Chile-EU Interim Trade Agreement, effective February 1, 2025, expands tariff-free access for 99.6% of Chilean exports, potentially benefiting Fish Meal shipments [Marcachile]. Chile’s strategic position as a top fishmeal producer aligns with this policy shift, strengthening its 2025 export potential to key markets like the EU.

Chile Fish Meal (HS 2301) 2025 February Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Chile Fish Meal HS Code 2301 Export in February 2025 saw a dramatic unit price surge to $0.70/kg, more than tripling from January's $0.23/kg, while export volume held steady, indicating a sharp shift in market conditions.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Month-over-month, the unit price jumped over 200% from January to February, with value rising from $5.22 million to $16.35 million and volume increasing marginally from 22.36 million kg to 23.34 million kg. This price spike typically reflects tight supply or strong demand cycles in the fish meal industry, often tied to seasonal fishing patterns or animal feed stock replenishment, rather than a volume-driven change.

External Context and Outlook

The surge coincides with the Chile-EU Interim Trade Agreement effective February 1, 2025 [marcachile.cl], which expanded tariff-free access and streamlined origin rules, likely boosting EU demand and pricing for Chilean exports. This policy shift provides a solid foundation for sustained higher prices, though volatility may persist depending on global feed demand and supply chain stability.

Chile Fish Meal (HS 2301) 2025 February Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In February 2025, Chile's Fish Meal exports under HS Code 2301 were dominated by the high-value sub-code 23012011 for flours, meals and pellets of fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, which held over half the export value at 56.81% share. This sub-code commanded a unit price of 1.13 USD per kilogram, significantly higher than other major codes, indicating a specialized, premium product focus. An extreme price anomaly was present in sub-code 23012013, with a unit price of only 0.12 USD per kilogram, which is isolated from the main analysis due to its low value contribution of 6.09%.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous sub-codes fall into two clear categories based on unit price and value. High-grade fish meal includes 23012011 and 23012012, with unit prices around 1.13 and 0.93 USD per kilogram, respectively, suggesting products with better quality or processing. Low-grade fish meal is represented by 23012013, with its minimal unit price pointing to a basic, bulk commodity form. This structure shows that Chile Fish Meal HS Code 2301 Export in 2025 February involves differentiated goods rather than uniform commodities, with value tied to grade and refinement.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Exporters of high-grade fish meal under Chile Fish Meal HS Code 2301 have strong pricing power due to product differentiation, allowing for better margins. The Chile-EU Interim Trade Agreement [Marcachile] effective from February 1, 2025, offers reduced tariffs and expanded market access (Marcachile), which could boost demand for premium products. Strategic focus should remain on maintaining quality to leverage these trade benefits and capture higher value in exports.

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Chile Fish Meal (HS 2301) 2025 February Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In February 2025, Chile's Fish Meal HS Code 2301 Export showed strong geographic concentration, with the UNITED STATES as the dominant importer by value, holding 81.08% of export value but only 32.49% of weight, indicating a much higher unit price—around USD 1.75 per kg—for US-bound shipments, suggesting premium product grade, while China, with 24.51% weight share but only 4.11% value share, had a lower unit price of about USD 0.12 per kg, pointing to commodity-grade bulk exports.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top importers form three clusters: the US stands alone as a high-value, high-volume market, likely due to demand for quality animal feed; China represents a high-volume, low-value cluster, probably for cost-sensitive mass production; and European countries like the Netherlands, UK, and Spain, along with South Korea and Japan, form a moderate cluster, possibly serving as regional hubs or for specialized uses, driven by geographic proximity and trade networks.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Chilean exporters should prioritize high-value markets like the US to maximize returns and consider leveraging the Chile-EU Interim Trade Agreement [marcachile.cl] to boost access to European markets, while maintaining cost-efficient supply chains for bulk buyers like China to ensure competitive positioning.

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Chile Fish Meal (HS 2301) 2025 February Export: Action Plan for Fish Meal Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Chile Fish Meal Export 2025 February market under HS Code 2301 is defined by two core price drivers: product grade quality and trade agreement access. High-grade fish meal (e.g., sub-code 23012011 at 1.13 USD/kg) commands premium prices, especially in markets like the United States. The Chile-EU Interim Trade Agreement further boosts value for premium products. Supply chain implications are dual: Chile acts as a processing hub for differentiated grades, but extreme buyer and geographic concentration (e.g., one buyer group and the US dominating value) creates vulnerability. Supply security depends on maintaining quality and diversifying partnerships.

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

• Segment buyers by purchase frequency and value using trade data. This identifies core high-volume clients for priority relationship management, reducing churn risk from over-reliance.
• Analyze HS Code 2301 sub-code unit prices by destination. Allocate production to high-value markets like the US and EU to maximize margin, avoiding low-return bulk shipments.
• Monitor tariff changes under the Chile-EU Trade Agreement. Adjust export volumes to European hubs like Spain or the Netherlands to capitalize on new demand without overextending logistics.
• Track competitor fish meal grades in key markets. Benchmark pricing against quality specs to defend premium positioning and avoid commoditization.
• Use shipment data to forecast inventory needs for bulk buyers. Align production cycles with order patterns from high-frequency clients to prevent stockouts or oversupply.

Take Action Now —— Explore Chile Fish Meal Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Chile Fish Meal Export 2025 February?

The unit price surged over 200% from January to February 2025, reaching $0.70/kg, while volume remained stable. This reflects tight supply or strong demand cycles, likely tied to seasonal fishing patterns or the Chile-EU trade agreement boosting premium demand.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Chile Fish Meal Export 2025 February?

The UNITED STATES dominated with 81.08% of export value, followed by China (4.11% value share) and European countries like the Netherlands, UK, and Spain forming a moderate cluster.

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

Price differences stem from product grade specialization: the US pays $1.75/kg for premium high-grade fish meal (HS 23012011), while China buys bulk commodity-grade at $0.12/kg (HS 23012013).

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

Exporters should prioritize high-value buyers (92% of transactions) and the US market while leveraging the Chile-EU agreement to diversify and reduce reliance on a few dominant clients.

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

US buyers secure premium-grade product at higher prices, while Chinese buyers benefit from low-cost bulk supply. European buyers gain access to mid-tier options through regional trade networks.

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

Fish Meal is primarily used in animal feed production, with high-grade products for premium livestock nutrition and commodity-grade for cost-sensitive mass manufacturing.