China leads Argentina seafood exports through July 2026

China was the top destination for Argentina seafood exports in the first seven months of 2026, accounting for 30.3% of the sector’s reported export value.

According to the July fisheries report from Argentina’s Subsecretariat of Aquatic Resources and Fisheries, based on INDEC data and reported by DataPortuaria, China bought 138,932.7 tonnes of Argentine seafood products worth US$418.4 million between January and July.

Spain ranked second, with 54,168.6 tonnes and US$310.8 million, equivalent to 22.5% of the reported export value. Together, China and Spain remained the two main markets for Argentina’s seafood export chain.

Exclusive data obtained by Datamar show that Argentina exported 1,165 TEUs of shrimp to Spain between January and May 2026, up 63.8% year over year. The chart below shows export volumes recorded in recent years:

Argentina Shrimp Exports to Spain | Jan 2023 – May 2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The accumulated ranking contrasted sharply with July’s monthly performance. In July alone, Spain led purchases of Argentine seafood with 13,315.9 tonnes worth US$91.7 million, or 45.1% of the month’s export value. Italy followed with US$27.7 million, ahead of the United States with US$17.2 million. China ranked fourth in July, with 2,920.6 tonnes worth US$11.7 million, or 5.8% of the monthly total.

In the year-to-date ranking, the United States followed China and Spain with US$80.6 million in purchases, ahead of Italy with US$72 million, Brazil with US$49.9 million, Thailand with US$46.1 million, Russia with US$44.7 million and Peru with US$43.8 million.

The data show China’s continued weight in Argentina seafood exports, while also highlighting strong month-to-month variation in destination markets. For seafood exporters, cold-chain operators and shipping companies, that volatility matters because it affects reefer demand, cargo planning and the balance between Asian, European and regional routes.

The report includes an important methodological caveat. Since March 2025, INDEC has reduced the level of detail in its trade data and excluded some positions considered confidential by origin or destination. As a result, the tables cannot be directly compared with previous periods and do not show the sector’s total export volume.

Even with that limitation, the figures reinforce the importance of China and Spain for Argentina’s seafood trade, especially for export-oriented species that depend on refrigerated storage, container availability and reliable maritime connections.

Source: DataPortuaria

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