Argentina's trade balance registered a surplus of US$3.504 billion in May, an increase of 477% compared to the same month in 2025, according to information released this Thursday (18.06.2026) by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC).
The positive balance also represented a 29,1% improvement compared to the US$2.713 billion surplus achieved in April, meaning Argentina has now had 30 consecutive months with a favorable result in the exchange of goods.
Exports
In May, exports totaled U.S. $ 9.537 millones, an 34,4% more than in the same month of 2025. The increase was due both to the increase in the quantities exported (+18,1%) and to the improvement in prices (+13,9%).
All the greats items They showed positive variations. Primary products grew 22,5%; agricultural manufactures (MOA), 20,5%; industrial manufactures (MOI), 20,1%; and fuels and energy (CyE) registered the greatest advance, with an expansion of 167,1%, driven by higher export volumes and prices.
Regarding the main ones destinationsThe INDEC (National Institute of Statistics and Censuses) indicated that China consolidated its position as the main market for Argentine exports in May, followed by Brazil and the United States. However, the highest year-on-year growth rates were observed in China (+78,9%) and the United States (+76,0%), while shipments to Brazil increased by 2,9%.
Imports
Imports totaled U.S. $ 6.033 millones, having a year-on-year drop of 7,0%The biggest losses due economic use Decreases were recorded in fuels and lubricants (-32,9%), parts and accessories for capital goods (-26,6%) and passenger motor vehicles (-21,3%), while intermediate goods grew 8,6%.
By the originExternal purchases decreased from Brazil (-26,5%), the United States (-17,9%), China (-7,7%), and the European Union (-4,0%). In contrast, imports from Paraguay were up 59,8%.
Thus, in the first five months of the year, Argentina accumulated a trade surplus of US$11.784 billion, with exports of US$40.359 billion and imports of US$28.575 billion. May's export performance was led by the surge in fuels and energy, boosted by purchases from the United States, while China drove sales of primary products and Brazil maintained its role as the main market for Argentine manufactured goods.
Aduana News foi o primeiro jornal aduaneiro da Argentina a lançar sua versão digital. Com mais de 20 anos de trajetória, suas publicações e iniciativas têm como objetivo oferecer o conhecimento mais relevante sobre temas aduaneiros, contribuindo para a promoção do comércio seguro e da facilitação do comércio na região.
