Argentina



 

General Overview

Population: 41,769,726 (July 2011 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity): US $596 billion (2010 est.)
GDP per capita (PPP): US $14,700 (2010 est.)
GDP (real growth rate): 7.5% (2010 est.)
Industries:
  • Food processing
  • Motor vehicles
  • Consumer durables
  • Textiles
  • Chemicals and petrochemicals
  • Printing
  • Metallurgy
  • Steel
Imports: US $56.44 billion (2010 est.)
Import commodities:
  • Machinery
  • Motor vehicles
  • Petroleum and natural gas
  • Organic chemicals
  • Plastics
Exports: US $68.5 billion (2010 est.)
Export commodities:
  • Soybeans and derivatives
  • Petroleum and gas
  • Vehicles
  • Corn
  • Wheat
Alberta's exports to Argentina: CDN $18.1 million (2010)
Alberta's main exports to Argentina:
  • Boring or sinking machinery
  • Filtering or purifying machinery
  • Truck tractors, pumps and parts
  • Motor vehicles (non-transport purpose)
  • Iron or steel structures, articles and parts
  • Mobile drilling derricks
  • Engines
  • Transmission apparatus
  • Other machinery and parts
Canada's main exports to Argentina:
  • Airplanes
  • Uranium
  • Newsprint
  • Carbon or graphite electrodes for furnaces
  • Boring or sinking machinery and parts
  • Inflatables for sport
  • Potash
  • Petroleum oils
  • Cellular telephones

Information about Argentina

CIA World Factbook
Detailed information about Argentina’s economy, political system and history.

Export statistics

Alberta's International Trade Review
An analysis of Alberta's international exports of goods and services. Published by Alberta International and Intergovernmental Relations.

Trade Data Online
Customized reports on Canada's trade with over 200 countries.

Alberta-Argentina relations

Alberta is twinned with the province of Neuquén. In November 2000, Alberta and Neuquén renewed a Memorandum of Understanding, which focuses on energy, agriculture and tourism.

World Relations
A summary of Alberta's relationship with Argentina.

Sector opportunities for Alberta businesses interested in exporting their products

  • Agricultural equipment: Argentina needs to upgrade existing machinery as many farmers are switching to non-traditional crops which require new equipment. This includes food processing and packaging equipment since domestic food companies are seeing more competition from imported goods, and need to use more quality packaging. Demand also exists in irrigation investment and equipment sales, and management of feedlot operations.

  • Computers and software: The Argentine market for computers and accessories is one of the fastest growing in the world. Coupled with this growth is a trend to re-equip with more advanced solutions. Alberta firms that can provide full solutions such as hardware, software, installation, and after sales assistance, would be most successful.

  • Construction and building materials and services: The Construction Industry Association predicts that Argentina will need to construct three million houses over the next 20 years. Foreign sources of financing are expected to provide 80% of this funding to meet the anticipated developments. Imports currently satisfy 30% of total demand and consist primarily of products intended for the high-end consumer bracket. The market is open to Albertan suppliers and there are very few trade barriers.

  • Environmental equipment and services: Demand for pollution control equipment is growing steadily, as industry and government incorporate environmental policies into the national agenda. Approximately 25% of Argentina's environmental control goods and services come from foreign suppliers. The chemical and petrochemical industries are natural candidates for environmental equipment. Demand for specialized services is heavily concentrated in the area of water, sewage, and river and lake basin cleanups. There is also opportunity for companies providing support services, such as environmental impact assessments, reports, management and consulting.

  • Oil and gas equipment and services: Alberta is a significant investor in Argentina's energy sector, helping the country produce 762,000 barrels of oil each day. The privatization of the oil and gas industry and increased demand have created opportunities for foreign suppliers of field machinery. About $2 billion each year is spent on developing the oil and gas sectors. In addition, there are many opportunities that exist in the Argentine oil market. Due to the initial large sums of investment in the early 1990s, many oil wells are now in need of secondary recovery methods or upgrades in efficiency to meet new international standards. Regional integration in energy has resulted in increased levels of trade activity in natural gas and electricity. Regionally, natural gas is expected to continue growing at about 10% per year. Pipelines are being developed to export natural gas from Argentina to Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. Several Alberta-based companies already have operations in Argentina, including Nova Gas, Norcen, AEC and TransAlta Utilities.

Services for exporters

Canada Business
Online tool for new and experienced exporters.

The Canadian Commercial Corporation
Crown corporation that promotes and facilitates international trade on behalf of Canadian industry.

Electronic Business Intelligence Service
Online source for export market intelligence, international company profiles, business opportunities, reports and web links

Export Alert!
A resource for exporters to learn about changes in foreign export regulations.

Export resources
Resources for both new and experienced exporters.

International Trade Canada
Sector reports as well as a list of staff contacts that can assist exporters.

Virtual Trade Commissioner
A database of Canadian exporters that enable companies to provide their information to prospective foreign buyers, importers, distributors and partners.

Services in Argentina

Date Updated:
RDP-1596