The SME exports grew 22% in dollars and 10.7% in tons during the month of January. Exports from SMEs companies grew by 22.2%, reaching US $ 755 million, representing 13.6% of the total exported by the Argentine Republic in the January 2025 period.
In volume, SMEs exported 580,821 tons, 10.7% more than the same period of 2024. This increase in exported volume shows a Real growth in total SME sales abroad, according to the Argentine Confederation of Medium Enterprises (CAME). The price for each export ton marked an increase of 10.3%, reaching an average of US $ 1,301.
Of the 3,463 companies that exported in this period, 2,362 were small and medium -sized, that is, during the first month of the year, 68.2% of the operators were SMEs.
SME companies: the sector analysis by sector
During the first month of the year, four of the 16 items analyzed presented falls, being the item of Footwear and its parts the one with the greatest decrease (-39%). On the other hand, the highest growth in dollars (+708%) as in tons (+1,053%) was that of Oil and fuels. The greatest fall in tons occurred in the field of Textile fabrics and manufactures (-32.9%).
This increase in the sector of Oil and fuels It is because in 2024 the production of oil and natural gas in Argentina reached its highest level in two decades, driven by the development of Vaca Muerta and the growth of unconventional extraction. This advance allowed a significant increase in exports, a strong import substitution and the first surplus in the energy trade balance since 2009 (except for the pandemic). In addition, fuel and lubricant imports were reduced, reflecting greater energy self -sufficiency.
The prominence of Vaca Muerta It is due to the maturation of investments and the consolidation of the Fracking as a predominant technique in the Neuquina basin. While a decade ago the shale oil and the Shale gas They represented 4.6% and 15% of national production, respectively, today unconventional hydrocarbons explain 55% of oil and 63% of the gas extracted in Argentina. This sustained unconventional growth has been key to expanding production and enhancing exports in the sector.
The country’s SMEs concentrated their exports mainly on Without processingwhich represented 48.6% of the total. It is important to note that the main export sectors correspond to SMEs of predominantly primary or low transformation activities, including extractive industries. These sectors, in general, generate lower added value compared to those industries that involve greater complexity processes, such as advanced manufacturing or heavy industry.
Of all exported products, 20 represent 84.5% of the total, led by frozen bovine meat, boneless front rooms (0202.30.00) representing 8.7% of the total exported total, escorted by peanuts without roasting or cooking, without peel (1202.42.00) with 8.1%.
SME companies: what were the main export destinations
Argentina faces new opportunities in international trade from the European Mercosur-Union Agreement, which will facilitate the Access to the European market with the elimination of tariffs in strategic products such as bovine meat. This pact represents an opportunity to strengthen agroindustrial exports and boost regional economies, while diversifying the export offer to products with greater added value. In parallel, the country evaluates the possibility of negotiate a free trade agreement with the United Stateswhich could expand the presence of Argentine products in the US market in sectors such as food preparations, wines, bovine meat, biodiesel, honey and essential oils, among others.
34.9% (US $ 264.2 million) of the exports of Argentine SMEs had South America as the main destination, highlighting Brazil and Chile as main partners (USD 165.5 million).
The second continent in relevance for small and medium -sized Argentine companies was Asia (25.5%), where China was the main commercial partner (US $ 86.2 million).
Finally, it should be noted that, of the more than 198 possible export destinations for Argentine SMEs, 30 countries concentrate 88% of operations (US $ 664.8 million).
Source: Ambito
