Argentina mining exports jump 84% to record high through April

Argentina mining exports reached a record $3.25 billion in the first four months of 2026, driven by stronger lithium sales and higher shipments of metalliferous minerals, according to government data.

Exports rose 84.3% from the same period in 2025, marking the highest level ever recorded for the first four months of the year. Economy Minister Luis Caputo said on X that mining exports were also 161.8% above the 2010-2025 average for the January-April period.

In April alone, Argentina exported $817 million in mining products, up 86.3% from the same month last year, according to the latest monthly report from the National Directorate for Mining Promotion and Economics. Mining accounted for 10.5% of Argentina’s total exports in April and 10.9% of the country’s exports in the first four months of 2026.

Lithium was one of the main drivers of the increase. Argentina lithium exports totaled $187 million in April, up 153.9% year over year and the highest level ever recorded for that month. Lithium represented 23% of total mining exports in April.

From January to April, lithium exports reached $658 million, a 137.8% increase from the same period in 2025 and equivalent to 20.2% of Argentina mining exports. In physical terms, lithium shipments rose 53.7% in the first four months of the year.

Metalliferous minerals also posted strong growth. Exports in that category reached $615 million in April, up 75.7% from the same month in 2025, and accounted for 75.3% of mining exports during the month.

Gold remained the leading product within the segment, with exports of $514 million, or 63% of the total. Silver followed with $87 million, representing 11% of mining exports.

Switzerland, China, the United States and Canada were the main destinations for Argentina mining exports in April, accounting for $730 million, or 89% of total shipments. Metalliferous minerals explained most of that trade flow, representing 77% of mining sales to those markets both in April and in the accumulated January-April period.

Caputo also highlighted strong year-on-year growth in mining exports to China, up 187%; the United States, up 101%; South Korea, up 99%; Germany, up 97%; and Canada, up 68%.

Other destination markets included India, South Korea, Germany, Bulgaria and Finland.

The record performance reinforces the growing weight of mining in Argentina’s export basket at a time when lithium, gold and silver are gaining importance as sources of foreign exchange. For logistics and trade operators, the expansion of Argentina mining exports points to rising demand for infrastructure, transport and export services linked to mineral supply chains.

Source: La Nación

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