Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormDried (Shelf-Stable)
Industry PositionPackaged Staple / Convenience Food
Market
Macaroni in Argentina is primarily supplied as shelf-stable dried pasta, with product definitions and quality parameters set under the Código Alimentario Argentino (CAA). The CAA distinguishes dry vs. fresh pasta and sets a maximum moisture level for dry pasta, aligning product acceptance with measurable quality criteria. Argentina both imports and exports pasta products under HS 1902 trade classifications, with regional flows visible in UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS interface. For market access, packaged foods intended for direct retail sale typically require Argentine establishment and product registrations and compliant labeling to obtain clearance for commercialization.
Market RoleEstablished domestic manufacturing market with two-way trade (imports and regional exports)
Domestic RolePackaged staple carbohydrate product sold primarily as dried pasta for household cooking and foodservice use
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Specification
Physical Attributes- Macaroni is produced as an extruded (prensado o extrudado) pasta shape under CAA pasta definitions.
Compositional Metrics- For dried pasta (pastas o fideos secos), the CAA sets a maximum moisture content of 13.0%.
Grades- Pastas o fideos secos
- Pastas o fideos secos de sémola
- Pastas o fideos secos semolados
- Pastas o fideos secos con huevo / al huevo
Packaging- For foods packaged for direct retail sale, compliant labels (rótulo) and product registration documentation are part of commercialization clearance expectations referenced by ANMAT/INAL.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Wheat milling (harina/sémola) → dough mixing → extrusion (macaroni shaping) → controlled drying → cooling → packaging → domestic distribution and/or export dispatch
Temperature- Ambient-stable product; quality is more sensitive to moisture/humidity exposure than to cold-chain breaks during distribution.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life performance depends on maintaining low moisture and packaging integrity to prevent quality loss and pest/infestation risk in storage.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighFor packaged foods intended for direct retail sale, lacking required Argentine establishment registration (RNE), product registration (RNPA), and/or acceptable labeling documentation can prevent commercialization clearance and lead to holds or rejections.Confirm whether the product is classified as packaged for direct retail sale and complete RNE/RNPA and label review steps before shipment; align dossiers with ANMAT/INAL guidance.
Food Safety MediumCAA sets specific quality and safety parameters for pasta (including moisture limits for dried pasta and contaminant criteria referenced for certain pasta categories), creating a rejection risk if products do not meet Argentine standards.Run pre-shipment testing/verification against CAA-referenced parameters relevant to the specific pasta category and retain certificates of analysis for audit/clearance support.
Logistics MediumFreight and inland transport cost volatility can materially change the landed cost of bulk-to-value packaged staples like macaroni, affecting competitiveness in both import and export channels.Use forward freight planning and optimize packaging/case configuration to improve container utilization; diversify carriers and routes where feasible.
FAQ
What moisture limit applies to dried macaroni (dry pasta) sold in Argentina?Argentina’s food code (CAA) defines dried pasta (pastas o fideos secos) as pasta that has undergone a drying process and sets a maximum moisture content of 13.0% for the finished product.
What registrations are commonly needed to commercialize packaged macaroni for direct retail sale in Argentina?ANMAT/INAL guidance indicates the establishment registration (RNE) is typically obtained before the product registration (RNPA) for foods packaged for direct retail sale, and labeling documentation (approved rótulo) is part of the commercialization/free-circulation documentation package.
Does Argentina only import macaroni, or does it also export pasta products?It does both. UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS interface shows Argentina imports HS 190230 pasta from multiple origins (e.g., Brazil) and also exports HS 190230 pasta to multiple destinations (e.g., Chile and Paraguay in recent reported years).