CIEN report reveals record Argentine imports in 2025

Between January and July 2025, Argentine imports grew by 31.7% year-on-year. This data comes from a report by the Center for Research in Export and International Business (CIEN). The report reveals significant changes in the composition of foreign trade.

The study shows that cars remain the most imported product. They accounted for 7.6% of the total, with expenditures of U$S 2.693 billion. Auto parts rank second with 4.5%, followed by petroleum with 3.6%.

Soybeans rank fourth, arriving mainly from Paraguay. This category accounts for 3.2% of total imports. The top ten is completed by petroleum gas, cell phones, pickup trucks, tractors, immunological products, and fertilizers.

El informe del CIEN destacó que estos 10 productos suman un tercio de las compras externas del país.

The top ten account for one third of national imports

The CIEN report highlighted that these 10 products make up one third of the country's external purchases. Demand for industrial goods remains strong. Meanwhile, imports of food and chemicals also show increasing weight.

The ranking reveals that the import structure is concentrated in key sectors. The automotive industry absorbs more than 12% of external purchases. The energy and agricultural sectors maintain their role as a complement to local production.

The figures show that Argentina continues to depend on strategic goods to sustain its productive apparatus. Changes in domestic demand and international prices directly influence these numbers.

Entre enero y julio de 2025, las importaciones argentinas crecieron 31,7% interanual.

Explosive surges in agricultural products and appliances

The surprise of the year was soybean by-products. Soybean meal rose by 18,359%, totaling over U$S 97 million.

Appliances also experienced record increases. Imports of washing machines increased by 5,041%, reaching U$S 65.7 million. Refrigerators rose by 1,055%, reaching U$S 102.8 million in seven months.

Other products with strong increases included frozen pork meat with 651.5% and tractors with 357.9%. Diesel pickup trucks grew by 271.5% in the same period.

Los automóviles son el rubro que lidera la lista, y en simultaneo los que más crecieron.

Cars: leaders in volume and also in growth

Their year-on-year increase was 203.3% in the first seven months of the year.

The automotive industry stands out as the main player in Argentine foreign trade. Domestic consumption and insufficient production explain the volume. Growing demand sustains its central role in the trade balance.

According to CIEN, the growth rate of imports is not uniform. While cars, auto parts, and soybeans lead in volume, the largest surges are concentrated in agricultural by-products, machinery, and appliances.