Chile Fresh Fish HS0302 Export Data 2025 February Overview

Chile Fresh Fish (HS 0302) 2025 February Export: Key Takeaways

Chile's Fresh Fish (HS Code 0302) export in February 2025 reveals a bulk commodity flow dominated by Brazil, which accounts for 80% of volume but at lower unit prices ($0.58/kg), while premium markets like the U.S. ($2.78/kg) and China ($4.65/kg) demand higher-value products. Buyer concentration is high in Brazil, creating market risk, but diversification opportunities exist in premium and niche markets. This analysis, covering February 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile Fresh Fish (HS 0302) 2025 February Export Background

Chile’s Fresh Fish exports (HS Code 0302—Fish, fresh or chilled, excluding fillets of 0304) are vital for global food supply chains, serving restaurants, retailers, and processors. Despite stable demand, the EU’s 2025 Combined Nomenclature update [Trade EC] confirms no major tariff shifts, ensuring predictable trade for Chile’s February 2025 exports. As a top supplier, Chile benefits from its Pacific coastline, meeting growing Asian and European demand for high-quality fresh fish. Recent USDA data shows rising imports of HS 0302 fish in China [USDA], reinforcing Chile’s strategic role.

Chile Fresh Fish (HS 0302) 2025 February Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Chile Fresh Fish HS Code 0302 Export 2025 February saw a sharp 35% month-over-month price crash to $0.84/kg, despite near-identical shipment volumes, pointing to severe margin compression.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The unit price for Chile's fresh fish exports plummeted from $1.30/kg in January to $0.84/kg in February, while volume held flat at 28.2 million kg. This divergence suggests market oversupply or competitive discounting pressured returns, as typical seasonal demand cycles failed to support values. The steep price drop without a volume response indicates buyers leveraged ample availability to negotiate lower rates, compressing exporter earnings significantly for the period.

External Context and Outlook

Intensified global competition and ample supply likely drove February's price weakness. [European Commission] tariff structures effective January 2025 may have redirected flows, while surging Chinese imports of fresh fish fillets (up 22% as reported by USDA GAIN) intensified rivalry for Chile's output. Near-term outlook remains cautious as supply gluts and competitive pricing persist.

Chile Fresh Fish (HS 0302) 2025 February Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Chile's Fresh Fish exports under HS Code 0302 in February 2025 are heavily concentrated in Atlantic salmon, with the sub-code for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Danube salmon (Hucho hucho) making up over 94% of the export value at a unit price of 0.88 USD per kilogram. This high value share and consistent pricing indicate a strong specialization in premium salmon products. Several sub-codes with unit prices of zero are isolated as anomalies and excluded from the main analysis due to their negligible impact.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes split into two clear groups: high-grade salmon and lower-grade hake. High-grade salmon, including Atlantic and Pacific varieties, commands unit prices from 0.59 to 0.87 USD per kilogram, reflecting a focus on differentiated, higher-value products. Lower-grade hake has unit prices around 0.12 to 0.17 USD per kilogram, pointing to a more commodity-like trade with less differentiation. This structure shows that Chile's exports blend premium, branded goods with bulk commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Chile holds significant pricing power in the salmon segment due to its dominance and quality focus, allowing for stable or premium pricing. For market players, strategies should prioritize maintaining salmon quality and exploring value-added processing for hake to capture more market share. [USDA] reports increased imports of fresh fish in China, which could offer growth opportunities for Chilean exports if leveraged effectively.

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Chile Fresh Fish (HS 0302) 2025 February Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Chile's Fresh Fish HS Code 0302 Export in 2025 February is dominated by Brazil, which accounts for 80.27% of the total export weight. The country's value ratio (54.82%) is significantly lower than its weight share, indicating a lower average unit price of approximately $0.58/kg and confirming this trade as a bulk commodity flow rather than a high-value product.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade forms three clear clusters. The first is Brazil, serving as the high-volume, low-cost commodity hub. The second includes the United States and China, which show much higher value relative to their weight (U.S. at $2.78/kg, China at $4.65/kg), pointing to purchases of higher-quality or premium fresh fish products. The third cluster consists of all other nations, like Russia, Colombia, and Spain, which represent smaller, niche markets with sporadic shipments.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Chile, the strategy should maintain high-volume commodity flows to Brazil while expanding premium product exports to the U.S. and China, where demand for higher-value fresh fish is stronger. The EU's updated Combined Nomenclature [European Commission] and China's 22% import growth for fresh fish fillets [USDA] support targeting these markets. Supply chains must be optimized for both bulk shipping to South America and faster, temperature-controlled logistics for distant premium markets.

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Chile Fresh Fish (HS 0302) 2025 February Export: Action Plan for Fresh Fish Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Chile Fresh Fish Export 2025 February under HS Code 0302 is defined by a dual-market structure. Price is driven by premium salmon quality for the U.S. and China, and by volume for bulk commodity flows to Brazil. High-value, high-frequency buyers provide stable revenue but create dependency risk. The supply chain must support both cost-efficient bulk shipping to nearby markets and agile, temperature-controlled logistics for distant premium destinations. This requires a split operational model to maximize value capture and mitigate concentration risks.

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

• Use HS Code sub-component data to prioritize Atlantic salmon production and shipments. This captures the highest unit prices and aligns with dominant buyer demand for premium products.
• Analyze buyer transaction frequency to forecast order cycles and optimize inventory levels. This prevents overstock and waste, ensuring product freshness for high-frequency clients.
• Leverage geographic price data to divert more high-grade salmon to the U.S. and China. This directly increases revenue per kilogram by targeting markets paying premium prices.
• Develop targeted outreach to high-value, low-frequency buyers using trade data profiles. This diversifies the client base and reduces over-reliance on a few dominant buyers.
• Model shipping costs and transit times for Brazil versus premium destinations. This allows for the creation of two dedicated, cost-optimized logistics streams for commodity and value-grade flows.

Take Action Now —— Explore Chile Fresh Fish Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A sharp 35% month-over-month price drop to $0.84/kg occurred despite stable shipment volumes, indicating severe margin compression due to oversupply or competitive discounting.

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

Brazil dominates with 80.27% of export weight, while the U.S. and China represent higher-value markets with unit prices of $2.78/kg and $4.65/kg, respectively.

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

Price gaps reflect Chile’s dual export structure: bulk commodity hake (avg. $0.12–$0.17/kg) shipped to Brazil versus premium salmon ($0.59–$0.87/kg) sent to the U.S. and China.

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

Prioritize relationships with high-value, high-frequency buyers (90.46% of export value) while expanding premium salmon sales to the U.S. and China to offset reliance on Brazil’s bulk trade.

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

Brazilian buyers benefit from stable, low-cost supply, while U.S. and Chinese buyers access premium salmon. All face volatility from Chile’s concentrated buyer base and price swings.

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

Chile’s exports serve two purposes: high-grade salmon for premium retail/foodservice and lower-grade hake for commodity processing or mass-market consumption.