Peru Fish Flour HS230120 Export Data 2025 May Overview

Peru Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 May Export: Key Takeaways

Peru's Fish Flour (HS Code 230120) exports in May 2025 reveal a commodity-grade product heavily reliant on China, which accounts for 81.5% of volume, creating high buyer concentration risk. Smaller markets like Spain and Canada show potential for higher-value niches, but the bulk trade remains price-sensitive and volume-driven. This analysis covers May 2025 and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Peru Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 May Export Background

What is HS Code 230120?

HS Code 230120 refers to flours, meals, and pellets made from fish or crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. This product is primarily used in animal feed, aquaculture, and fertilizer production due to its high protein content and nutritional value. Global demand remains stable, driven by the growing aquaculture industry and the need for sustainable protein sources. Peru, as a major exporter, plays a critical role in supplying this commodity to international markets.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Peru's Fish Flour (HS Code 230120) exports in May 2025 are positioned within a competitive global market, where price volatility and supply chain efficiency are key factors. The country's strategic advantage lies in its abundant marine resources and established processing infrastructure, making it a top supplier. With rising demand for sustainable feed ingredients, Peru must maintain market vigilance to capitalize on opportunities and navigate challenges. Monitoring 2025 export trends will be essential for stakeholders to adapt to shifting trade dynamics.

Peru Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 May Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Peru Fish Flour HS Code 230120 Export 2025 May recorded a notable decline, with total export value dropping to $193.46 million and volume falling to 135.37 million kilograms. This performance reflects the lowest monthly figures observed so far in 2025.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The sequential decline from April to May aligns with typical seasonal patterns in the fishmeal industry, where reduced fishing activity often precedes annual quota adjustments or environmental restrictions. Year-over-year, the contraction appears more pronounced, likely influenced by earlier-than-usual disruptions in anchovy harvests—a key input for fish flour production. Lower volumes have not been offset by price increases, indicating weakened global demand or buyer resistance at higher cost levels.

External Context and Outlook

The downturn may also relate to broader environmental factors, such as the ongoing effects of El Niño on Pacific fishing zones, which have periodically constrained supply from Peru [NOAA]. Looking ahead, market stability will depend on quota announcements for the next fishing season and any recovery in demand from key importers like China. For Peru Fish Flour exports, the remainder of 2025 will likely hinge on these production and climate variables.

Peru Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 May Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In May 2025, Peru's export of fish flour under HS Code 230120 is overwhelmingly dominated by sub-code 2301201100, which covers flours, meals, and pellets of fish or aquatic invertebrates. This product holds a 98% share of both export value and weight, with a unit price of 1.42 USD per kilogram. According to yTrade data, this high concentration indicates a strong specialization in this specific grade, with the remaining sub-code 2301209000 accounting for only a minor share at a higher unit price of 2.22 USD per kilogram, showing no extreme anomalies.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The market for Peru Fish Flour HS Code 230120 Export in 2025 May can be grouped into two clear categories based on unit price: a bulk, lower-grade product at 1.42 USD/kg and a premium, higher-grade variant at 2.22 USD/kg. This structure points to a trade in differentiated goods rather than fungible commodities, as the price disparity suggests variations in quality, processing, or value-add stages, such as finer grinding or specific sourcing.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For Peru's fish flour exporters, the heavy reliance on the lower-priced bulk product may constrain overall pricing power, making the market sensitive to cost fluctuations. However, the existence of a higher-priced option opens avenues for strategic shifts toward premium segments to enhance margins. Focusing on quality control and marketing for the dominant grade while developing the premium niche could strengthen Peru's position in the global fish flour trade under HS Code 230120.

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Peru Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 May Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Peru's Fish Flour (HS Code 230120) exports in May 2025 show a highly concentrated market, with China Mainland holding a dominant 81.5% share by volume. The nearly identical weight and value ratios confirm this is a bulk commodity trade, where China's massive volume purchases come at a lower average unit price, typical for a price-sensitive raw material like fish meal used in animal feed.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two main sourcing clusters appear. The first includes Ecuador and Japan, both significant buyers with similar lower unit prices, indicating they are also sourcing for bulk agricultural or aquaculture uses. A second, smaller cluster features Spain, Canada, and China Taiwan; these buyers show a higher value-to-weight ratio, suggesting they may be purchasing slightly higher-grade product for more specialized feed or food applications, though still within the commodity spectrum.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Peruvian exporters, this heavy reliance on a single market for a commodity product creates significant exposure to Chinese demand shifts. The strategy must focus on maintaining cost leadership to defend this volume-driven business. Diversifying into the smaller, higher-value niche markets represented by Spain and Canada could provide a buffer against price volatility, but the core business will remain tied to large-scale commodity sales to a few key partners.

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Peru Fish Flour (HS 230120) 2025 May Export: Action Plan for Fish Flour Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Peru Fish Flour Export 2025 May under HS Code 230120 operates as a bulk commodity trade. Price is driven by two factors: global demand for lower-grade product and niche demand for premium quality. China's dominance as a buyer creates high volume but low pricing power. Supply chain implications focus on securing anchovy supply and maintaining cost-efficient processing to serve large buyers reliably. Over-reliance on China introduces risk if demand shifts.

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

• Track Chinese import regulations monthly using trade data. This prevents sudden compliance issues that could halt shipments.
• Analyze buyer purchase frequency to forecast inventory needs. This optimizes production scheduling and reduces storage costs.
• Target buyers in Spain and Canada with premium HS Code 2301209000 product. This diversifies revenue streams and increases profit margins.
• Monitor global fishmeal price indexes weekly. This allows for dynamic pricing adjustments to remain competitive.
• Develop smaller buyer profiles for incremental growth. This reduces dependency on a few large clients and stabilizes long-term sales.

Execute these steps to secure Peru's position in the global fish flour market.

Take Action Now —— Explore Peru Fish Flour Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Peru Fish Flour Export 2025 May?

The decline in Peru's fish flour exports in May 2025 reflects seasonal fishing reductions and potential El Niño impacts, with lower volumes and weakened demand from key markets like China.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Peru Fish Flour Export 2025 May?

China dominates with 81.5% of export volume, followed by Ecuador and Japan for bulk purchases, while Spain, Canada, and China Taiwan buy smaller, higher-value quantities.

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

The price gap stems from two product grades: bulk fish flour (1.42 USD/kg, 98% share) and a premium variant (2.22 USD/kg), with higher-value buyers likely sourcing the latter.

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

Exporters must prioritize maintaining relationships with large-volume buyers (97% of trade) while diversifying into premium niches (e.g., Spain/Canada) to mitigate reliance on China.

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

Chinese buyers benefit from stable bulk supply, while niche markets (e.g., Spain) can access higher-grade product, though overall trade remains vulnerable to Peruvian supply shocks.

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

Fish flour is primarily a bulk commodity for animal feed, with minor premium segments potentially serving specialized feed or food applications.