Chile Fish Meal HS2301 Export Data 2025 May Overview

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

Chile Fish Meal Export 2025 May (HS Code 2301) reveals a sharply divided market, with the US driving premium-grade demand at high prices while China dominates volume purchases for lower-cost processing. The US accounts for 70.45% of export value but just 17.98% of weight, highlighting its focus on superior quality, whereas China takes nearly half the volume at a fraction of the value. This dual-track strategy requires agile supply chains to balance high-value and bulk shipments. Based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, this analysis covers 2025 May, confirming Chile’s ability to leverage trade agreements for premium markets while maintaining mass-volume efficiency.

Chile Fish Meal (HS 2301) 2025 May Export Background

Chile Fish Meal (HS Code 2301), which includes flours, meals, and pellets of meat or fish, is a key ingredient in animal feed and aquaculture, driving steady global demand. With the Chile-EU Interim Trade Agreement in effect since February 2025, exports now benefit from zero tariffs and simplified origin certification, boosting competitiveness for Chilean suppliers [Marca Chile]. Chile’s strong aquaculture sector positions it as a reliable exporter of Fish Meal, especially as global demand grows in 2025.

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

Key Observations

May 2025 marked a robust recovery in Chile Fish Meal HS Code 2301 Export, with volume surging 36% month-over-month to 45.59 million kg, while unit price held steady at a low 0.18 USD/kg, indicating heightened shipment activity despite persistent price pressure.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The sequential volume jump from April to May aligns with typical seasonal demand cycles in animal feed production, where spring often drives increased consumption for livestock and aquaculture. Price remained depressed near April's lows, suggesting oversupply or competitive pricing strategies, with the February price spike (0.70 USD/kg) likely an outlier due to initial trade policy adjustments rather than a sustained trend.

External Context and Outlook

The Chile-EU Interim Trade Agreement effective February 2025 [Marcachile] has simplified origin certification and reduced tariffs, fueling export volume growth by enhancing market access. With continued preferential treatment under US agreements (Marcachile), Chile's Fish Meal exports are poised for stable, volume-driven expansion in 2025.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In May 2025, Chile's Fish Meal export under HS Code 2301 is dominated by the sub-code 23012011 for flours, meals and pellets of fish or other aquatic invertebrates, which accounts for over half the export value with a unit price of 0.52 USD per kilogram, indicating a specialized, higher-value product. Several sub-codes with zero value, such as those for meat-based products, are anomalies and isolated from the main analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes form three clear quality grades: high-grade (23012011 at 0.52 USD/kg), medium-grade (23012012 at 0.19 USD/kg), and low-grade (23012013 at 0.04 USD/kg) fish meal. This price spread shows a differentiated market with distinct quality tiers, not a fungible bulk commodity trade.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Chile can leverage stronger pricing power for high-grade Fish Meal, especially with trade agreements like the Chile-EU Interim Trade Agreement effective since February 2025, which offers zero tariffs and simpler origin procedures [Marcachile], supporting focused export growth to premium markets.

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

The Chile Fish Meal HS Code 2301 Export in 2025 May shows a clear market split, with the United States as the premium buyer and China Mainland as the volume processor. The US took 70.45% of the total export value but only 17.98% of the weight, indicating it pays a much higher price per kilogram for superior-grade product. In contrast, China accounted for 48.42% of the weight but just 7.04% of the value, showing its bulk purchases are for lower-priced, standard commodity meal.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade flow forms three clear clusters. The first is high-value buyers like the US, Spain, and the Netherlands, whose purchases align with demand for top-quality feed in advanced aquaculture and pet food industries. The second is China, whose massive volume intake at a low cost per kilo is for its domestic industrial aquaculture and livestock sectors. A third, smaller cluster includes nations like Brazil and South Korea, which likely source specific volumes for their regional feed manufacturing needs.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Chilean exporters, this means maintaining a two-track strategy: securing premium prices from quality-focused markets like the US and EU, and efficiently moving large volumes to price-sensitive processors like China. The new Chile-EU Interim Trade Agreement that entered force in February 2025 reinforces this, as it provides tariff-free access and simpler origin certification for exports to the bloc (Marcachile). This policy support, along with the long-standing US-Chile FTA, helps protect the profitable high-value trade streams. Supply chains must therefore be agile, capable of meeting strict quality controls for some buyers and cost-effective bulk shipping for others.

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Chile Fish Meal Export 2025 May under HS Code 2301 operates as a quality-differentiated commodity market. Price is driven by product grade and destination market. High-grade meal (e.g., 23012011) commands premium prices in markets like the US and EU. Lower-grade product moves in bulk to price-sensitive buyers like China. The Chile-EU trade agreement secures tariff-free access for premium exports. This creates a two-track supply chain. It must ensure strict quality control for high-value buyers and cost-efficient bulk shipping for volume processors.

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

• Segment buyers by purchase frequency and volume using trade data. This allows customized contract terms. It secures steady revenue from core clients.
• Prioritize sales of high-grade product (HS 23012011) to the US and EU markets. These buyers pay premium prices. This directly increases profit margins.
• Leverage the Chile-EU trade agreement for all exports to the bloc. It guarantees zero tariffs and simpler origin checks. This protects competitiveness and market access.
• Monitor China's import volume and price trends monthly. This identifies shifts in bulk demand early. It prevents over-reliance on a single volatile market.

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 May?

The May 2025 surge in volume (up 36% month-over-month) reflects seasonal demand in animal feed production, while steady low prices suggest competitive pricing or oversupply. The Chile-EU trade agreement further boosted exports by simplifying origin procedures.

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

The US dominates (70.45% of export value) as a premium buyer, while China Mainland leads in volume (48.42% of weight). Spain and the Netherlands form a secondary high-value cluster.

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

Prices vary by product grade: high-grade (23012011 at 0.52 USD/kg) targets the US and EU, while low-grade (23012013 at 0.04 USD/kg) supplies bulk buyers like China.

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

Prioritize contracts with frequent bulk buyers (88.31% of value) and leverage trade agreements to secure premium prices in the US/EU, while maintaining cost-efficient volume shipments to China.

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

US/EU buyers access high-quality meal for premium feed, while Chinese processors benefit from stable bulk supply. All face limited supplier diversification due to Chile’s market concentration.

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

It serves as protein-rich feed for aquaculture, livestock, and pet food industries, with grades tailored to end-use (e.g., high-grade for premium sectors, standard for industrial farming).