2025 Chile Frozen Mackerel (HS 030355) Export: Price Surge

Key Takeaways

Frozen Mackerel, classified under HS Code 030355 (Fish; frozen, jack and horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99), exhibited volatile volumes but resilient value from January to September 2025.

• Market Pulse: Total export value rose from $1.14M to $1.54M despite a 37% quarterly volume drop in Q3, as unit prices strengthened from $0.01/kg to $0.04/kg.
• Structural Shift: Chile Frozen Mackerel Export reliance on Sri Lanka (31.33% of value) poses concentration risk, though premium pricing ($1.03/kg) offsets volume dependence.
• Product Logic: HS Code 030355 trade data reveals a commodity-driven market (99% weight share for low-value bulk) with niche premium potential (0.75 USD/kg for specialized variants).

This overview covers the period from January to September 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile Frozen Mackerel (HS Code 030355) Key Metrics Trend

Market Trend Summary

The Chile Frozen Mackerel Export trend from January to September 2025 shows volatile volumes but resilient total value, climbing from $1.14M to $1.54M despite a 37% quarterly contraction in Q3. Volumes peaked at 96.8M kg in April before declining to 42.2M kg by September, while unit prices strengthened from $0.01/kg to $0.04/kg, offsetting lower shipment weights.

Drivers & Industry Context

Price support stemmed from sustained Asian demand—notably China’s stable high-value orders and Sri Lanka’s premium $1.03/kg purchases—coupled with preferential access under the US-Chile Free Trade Agreement [FreightAmigo]. The expanded US agricultural tariff exclusions in April 2025 [EY Tax News] further bolstered the hs code 030355 value, insulating exports from volume swings through higher-margin shipments.

Table: Chile Frozen Mackerel Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

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Chile HS Code 030355 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

According to yTrade data, the Chile HS Code 030355 Export market is overwhelmingly dominated by sub-code 03035511, which accounted for over 99% of weight and 95% of shipments from January to September 2025. This sub-code, describing frozen jack and horse mackerel excluding fillets, represents the bulk of trade volume. The remaining sub-codes, including 03035513, constitute less than 1% of weight and 5% of shipments, indicating minimal market fragmentation.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

The unit price disparity—0.02 USD/kg for the dominant sub-code versus 0.75 USD/kg for the minor one—reveals a clear split between low-value bulk commodity and higher-grade specialized products. This HS Code 030355 breakdown confirms a commodity-driven trade structure where price sensitivity prevails, though the presence of a premium segment suggests limited opportunities for value-added differentiation. Exporters should focus on cost efficiency for the mass market while exploring niche demand for higher-priced variants.

Check Detailed HS Code 030355 Breakdown

Chile Frozen Mackerel Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

Sri Lanka dominates Chile's Frozen Mackerel exports in the first three quarters of 2025, accounting for 31.33% of total value. This heavy reliance on a single market creates significant concentration risk for Chilean exporters. The next largest Chile Frozen Mackerel export destinations, China Mainland (20.55%) and Ukraine (6.55%), trail far behind in value share, underscoring Sri Lanka's pivotal position in this trade flow.

Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation

Sri Lanka's exceptional value-to-weight ratio (31.33 vs 0.78) reveals a premium market paying substantially more per kilogram, indicating quality-conscious demand for high-value specifications. This pattern contrasts with other trade partners for Frozen Mackerel who show more balanced ratios, suggesting standard commodity trading. The export profile demonstrates clear margin potential rather than volume scale, with Chile capturing superior value from discerning buyers in its top market.

Table: Chile Frozen Mackerel (HS Code 030355) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Chile Frozen Mackerel (HS Code 030355) Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Frozen Mackerel Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify export markets: Reduce dependence on Sri Lanka by targeting China Mainland (20.55% value share) and other Asian markets with balanced value-to-weight ratios.
• Optimize logistics for bulk shipments: Focus on cost efficiency for sub-code 03035511 (0.02 USD/kg) to maintain competitiveness in the commodity segment.
• Develop premium product lines: Capitalize on Sri Lanka’s high-value demand by branding specialized variants (sub-code 03035513) with quality certifications.
• Monitor trade agreements: Leverage tariff exclusions under the US-Chile Free Trade Agreement to stabilize margins amid volume fluctuations.
• Implement price hedging: Mitigate volatility risks by locking in favorable rates during peak production months (e.g., April’s 96.8M kg volume).

Take Action Now —— Explore Chile Frozen Mackerel HS Code 030355 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Chile Frozen Mackerel Export in 2025?

The market shows volatile volumes but resilient value, with unit prices rising from $0.01/kg to $0.04/kg, offsetting lower shipment weights. Strong Asian demand, especially from Sri Lanka and China, along with favorable trade agreements, has supported higher-margin exports despite volume fluctuations.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Chile Frozen Mackerel (HS Code 030355) in 2025?

Sri Lanka dominates with 31.33% of total export value, followed by China Mainland (20.55%) and Ukraine (6.55%). These three markets account for the majority of Chile’s Frozen Mackerel exports.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Chile Frozen Mackerel Export in 2025?

The price gap stems from Sri Lanka’s premium demand ($1.03/kg) for high-value Frozen Mackerel, while other markets trade at lower commodity-grade prices ($0.01-$0.04/kg). This reflects a split between quality-conscious buyers and bulk commodity trade.

Q4. What should exporters in Chile focus on in the current Frozen Mackerel export market?

Exporters should prioritize cost efficiency for the dominant bulk market (sub-code 03035511) while exploring niche opportunities in premium segments (e.g., sub-code 03035513) to capture higher margins, particularly in Sri Lanka.

Q5. What does this Chile Frozen Mackerel export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers in Sri Lanka benefit from consistent high-quality supply but face concentration risk, while buyers in other markets access lower-cost commodity-grade products with more stable volumes.

Q6. How is Frozen Mackerel typically used in this trade flow?

Frozen Mackerel (HS Code 030355) is primarily traded as a bulk commodity for mass consumption, with a smaller segment processed into higher-value products like fillets for premium markets.

Detailed Monthly and Quarterly Report

Chile HS Code 030355 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JAN

Chile HS Code 030355 Export Data Snapshot 2025 MAR

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Chile HS Code 030355 Export Data Snapshot 2025 Q1

Chile HS Code 030355 Export Data Snapshot 2025 Q2

Chile HS Code 030355 Export Data Snapshot 2025 Q3