Classification
Product TypeByproduct
Product FormDry meal/powder
Industry PositionAnimal Feed Ingredient (Fishery Byproduct)
Market
Fish meal in Argentina is produced mainly by rendering fishery by-products from the country’s marine capture and seafood-processing sector, with activity concentrated around major landing/processing ports. Official landing statistics highlight strong concentration in Buenos Aires (Mar del Plata) and Patagonian ports in Chubut and Santa Cruz, shaping where fishmeal plants and raw-material supply tend to cluster. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) indicates Argentina exported HS 230120 fishmeal in 2024 primarily to Chile and the United States, suggesting an export-oriented profile at a relatively small global scale. Domestic commercialization and trade (import/export) of animal feed products requires SENASA registration and compliance with the applicable sanitary/administrative procedures.
Market RoleNet exporter (producer and exporter with limited imports)
Domestic RoleProtein ingredient used in animal feed formulations; fish-processing by-products are also documented as inputs for fishmeal/fish oil and related valorization pathways in Argentina.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Brown color and fresh-fish odor referenced in an Argentina exporter specification (example: Agustiner 'Harina de Pescado Standard').
Compositional Metrics- Protein: 63% min (example exporter spec: Agustiner).
- Moisture: 10% max (example exporter spec: Agustiner).
- Fat: 10% max (example exporter spec: Agustiner).
- Ash: 25% max (example exporter spec: Agustiner).
- TVBN: 150 mgN/100g max (example exporter spec: Agustiner).
- Histamine: 200 ppm max (example exporter spec: Agustiner).
- Salmonella: negative in 25g (example exporter spec: Agustiner).
Grades- Commercial grade/specs vary by supplier and destination; example: 'Harina de Pescado Standard' specification published by an Argentina exporter (Agustiner).
Packaging- Polypropylene bags (e.g., 50 kg) and big bags (e.g., ~1,200 kg) reported in an Argentina exporter specification (Agustiner).
- Store in a cool, dry place; example exporter spec indicates 12 months from production (Agustiner).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Fish processing/fishery by-products at landing ports → rendering (cooking/pressing/drying) → milling → bagging/big-bagging → inland haulage → port export shipment.
- Where fishmeal plants are absent, fishery residues can create environmental disposal pressure; Argentina research notes fishmeal/fish oil as a primary utilization pathway for processing waste.
Temperature- No cold chain required for the finished meal; storage focus is moisture control and avoiding heat/humidity (example exporter guidance: store cool and dry).
Shelf Life- Example exporter specification indicates ~12-month stability when stored in a cool, dry place (Agustiner).
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighSENASA requires animal feed products to be registered for commercialization in Argentina, and import/export movements are subject to SENASA procedures and destination-country sanitary requirements; missing registrations, certificates, or required analytical documentation can block clearance or trigger rejection.Confirm SENASA product/establishment registration status early, align documentation to the SENASA import/export checklist, and obtain destination-specific sanitary certificates/authorizations before booking shipment.
Logistics MediumFishmeal’s bulk-to-value profile makes landed cost and delivery reliability sensitive to ocean freight volatility, port congestion, and container/handling availability.Use contracted freight where possible, build shipment buffers around peak port seasons, and align packaging (bags/big bags) and moisture-protection to the chosen route.
Supply Availability MediumProduction depends on fishery/processing by-product supply concentrated in key landing ports; variability in landings by port and fleet can transmit into fishmeal output volatility.Diversify sourcing across multiple landing/processing hubs and maintain flexible formulation options (blends) to manage intermittent raw-material swings.
Sustainability- Dependence on marine landings and fishery by-products concentrates supply near major ports; shifts in landing volumes or fishery management constraints can tighten raw-material availability.
- Environmental management of fishery-processing residues: Argentina research notes disposal/pollution risks when residues are not valorized, with fishmeal/fish oil among primary utilization routes.
FAQ
Which HS code is commonly used for fishmeal trade reporting for Argentina?UN Comtrade trade reporting (as presented via WITS) uses HS code 230120 for “flours, meals and pellets of fish… unfit for human consumption,” which is the standard code referenced for fishmeal in the cited Argentina trade tables.
Do animal feed products like fishmeal need registration to be commercialized in Argentina?Yes. SENASA states that animal feed products must be registered with SENASA to be commercialized in Argentina, and SENASA provides procedures and forms for registering animal feed products and establishments.
Which Argentina regions are most relevant for fishmeal supply and processing hubs?Official marine landing statistics from Argentina’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries show major landings concentrated in Buenos Aires (notably Mar del Plata) and Patagonian ports in Chubut and Santa Cruz (e.g., Rawson, Puerto Madryn, Puerto Deseado), which are key locations where seafood processing and by-product availability typically support fishmeal production.