Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormOil (crude or refined; bulk and retail packs)
Industry PositionFood Ingredient / Industrial Ingredient
Market
Coconut oil in Argentina functions primarily as an import-supplied ingredient market, with trade dominated by extra-regional origins (notably Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka) per UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS. Imports include both non-crude/refined categories (HS 151319) and crude coconut oil (HS 151311), indicating demand for both industrial use and further handling/packing. Market access is driven less by domestic production conditions and more by compliance with Argentina’s ANMAT/INAL food import procedures and documentation workflows. Tariff treatment is typically anchored to MERCOSUR’s NCM/AEC structure for heading 1513, so landed-cost planning should consider the applicable NCM position and any Argentina-specific exceptions.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and industrial ingredient market (net importer)
Domestic RoleUsed as a specialty edible oil in retail and as an input for industrial use by establishments importing food products and raw materials.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-conformity with ANMAT/INAL import procedures (including the correct pathway by origin country, required registrations/authorizations, and supporting documents) can trigger border delays, inability to commercialize, or rework of the import process for coconut oil shipments into Argentina.Confirm whether the origin country qualifies for the Annex III 'Aviso de Importación' pathway; if not, secure the necessary RNE/RNPA and import authorization steps via SIFEGA/TAD before shipping, and align labels/specs to CAA/INAL requirements.
Logistics MediumArgentina’s coconut oil supply is largely sourced from distant origin countries, making landed cost and availability sensitive to ocean freight conditions and shipping schedule disruptions.Use forward freight planning, dual-origin sourcing where feasible (e.g., multiple Asian origins reflected in recent import patterns), and maintain buffer inventory for industrial users.
Labor And Animal Welfare MediumCoconut supply chains can face reputational and buyer acceptance risk due to allegations of monkey labor in Thailand’s coconut harvesting sector; even when not sourcing from Thailand, buyers may require evidence of responsible sourcing and origin transparency.Implement origin-level traceability and require supplier attestations/audits for ‘no monkey labor’ where Thailand-origin is involved or where buyers request it; document due-diligence actions for customer and regulatory inquiries.
Supply Concentration MediumImport sourcing is concentrated in a small number of origin countries (notably Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka), which can amplify exposure to origin-side disruptions (weather, policy changes, port issues) and price volatility.Diversify approved origins and maintain alternative suppliers (including intermediary trading hubs such as the Netherlands reflected in recent HS 151319 imports).
Sustainability- Upstream origin-country sustainability screening (land-use change and biodiversity impacts in coconut-growing regions) is relevant because Argentina supply is import-dependent and largely sourced from Southeast Asia.
Labor & Social- Animal welfare and labor due-diligence is relevant for coconut supply chains due to widely publicized allegations around the use of trained monkeys in parts of Thailand’s coconut harvesting sector; buyers commonly treat Thai-origin coconut products as a heightened due-diligence category even when sourcing is primarily from other countries.
FAQ
Which countries have been key suppliers of coconut oil imported by Argentina in recent trade data?UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS shows Argentina importing HS 151319 (coconut oil excluding crude) in 2023 mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, with additional volumes from the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. For HS 151311 (crude coconut oil), WITS data for 2024 shows imports mainly from Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
What is the MERCOSUR common external tariff reference for coconut oil under NCM heading 1513?In the published MERCOSUR AEC annex for NCM 2022, the reference ad valorem rate shown for NCM 1513.11.00 (crude coconut oil) and NCM 1513.19.00 (other coconut oil) is 9%. The applied rate in Argentina can vary depending on the exact classification line and any active exceptions, so it should be verified for the shipment’s NCM position.
What is the main regulatory gate for importing coconut oil for sale or industrial use in Argentina?Food imports fall under ANMAT/INAL procedures tied to the Código Alimentario Argentino. Depending on the origin country and product pathway, imports may be handled through an 'Aviso de Importación' sworn statement via TAD for certain Annex III origins, or may require prior RNE/RNPA registration via SIFEGA and an 'Autorización de Importación' via TAD for non-Annex III origins.