Argentina's Booming Metal Industry

 

Minerals mining is a major activity of Argentina driving its metal exports. Argentina's metals and minerals sector showed rapid growth last year. Ever since the discovery of lithium, Argentina's metals exports got a much needed push. Argentina's top metals exports include precious metals, aluminium, iron and steel. Precious metals and stones are the leading exports of Argentina.

According to Argentina import export data, Argentina’s precious metals exports were $2.55 billion in FY 2023. Compared to the fiscal year 2022, there was substantial growth of 14% in Argentina’s precious metals exports. Among the precious metals, gold was the most exported item from Argentina with over 1.5 billion worth exports in 2023. 

Silver, Jewellery, Gemstones and Diamond were the most exported precious metal items from Argentina. Switzerland was the leading market for Argentina's precious metals exports, having over 45% share. The United States, Canada and India were other notable markets for Argentina's precious metals exports. Cerro Vanguardia and Minera Gold were the leading precious metals export companies from Argentina.

Aluminium was the second most exported metal from Argentina. As per Argentina export data, aluminium and its articles exports were recorded to be $852 million in the financial year 2023. Argentina's aluminium exports went up by 14% during last year. The United States accounted for 60% of Argentina's aluminium exports last year.

Along with the United States, Brazil, Spain, Netherlands and Italy were other significant importers of aluminium and its articles. Aluar Aluminio is the leading aluminium export company from Argentina in terms of aluminium export shipments last year. Whereas, Argentina's iron and steel exports are estimated to be around $330 million in FY 2023. 

On the other hand, Argentina's exports of iron and steel articles stood at around $572 million in the past fiscal year. The United States was the biggest market for Argentina's iron and steel, having around 35% market share. Among the leading markets for Argentina's iron and steel exports were Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. 

In terms of iron and steel articles exports, Saudi Arabia was the top destination for Argentinian exports having 20% market share. There were notable shipments to the United Arab Emirates, Colombia and Brazil. Other major metals exports from Argentina were nickel, copper, lead, zinc, tin, cermet metals and base metals articles. 

Argentina customs data suggests that the copper exports were $2 million followed by tin ($18 million), lead ($1.58 million), zinc ($1.6 million), nickel ($58 thousand), base metals articles ($25 million) and cermet metals ($938 thousand). Last year, Argentina's lithium exports were driven by lithium giving a major push to the country's mining sector. 

Base metals related articles were other prominent exports from Mexico. Mexico exported base metals worth over $1.2 billion during FY 2023. The United States was the leading destination for Mexican base metals articles exports. 

Whereas, the emerging destinations for Mexican base metals articles exports were Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Guatemala. Argentina imported over 9600 metric tons of lithium during last year. By the end of 2025, Argentina's lithium exports could reach $5.5 billion. The United States was the biggest market for Argentina's lithium exports. The United States represented over 34% share of Argentina lithium exports. 

Other potential markets for Argentina's lithium exports were Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Indonesia, Colombia and the United Kingdom. Baker Hughes, Nabors International and Weatherford International were the top lithium export companies from Argentina with major shipments last year. Businesses involved in the metal industry sector can expand through the intelligence offered by the global import export data providers.

 

These reports will help companies to expand globally by reaching out to the potential metal importers from the international market. Also, it helps companies to keep a regular on their competitor shipments, their product price, container volumes, clients and market reach. The accurate insights over the global market can accelerate Argentinian companies metal exports sales.