Market Overview

Welcome to Argentina!  There is a distinguished bilateral commercial history that the U.S. and Argentina share, with new opportunities for future trade and investment.  The United States is Argentina’s third largest trading partner (after Brazil and China), and the Argentine Government Investment Agency recently cited the U.S. as the "most active" country investor in Argentina. 

The U.S. maintains a trade surplus with Argentina:  In 2008 the U.S. exported nearly $6 billion in goods to Argentina.  The U.S. imported $5.6 billion in goods (mostly commodities) from Argentina. 

U.S. investment in Argentina makes a large contribution to the economy:  Over 500 U.S.-based companies are currently operating in Argentina, and employ over 155,000 Argentines.  U.S. investment in Argentina totals over $13 billion and is concentrated in the energy, manufacturing, information technology, and financial sectors. 

In 2008, U.S. firms ranked high among the "best places to work" in Argentina (21 of the top 50, and 6 of the top 10), and are many of the "most admired companies in Argentina" with 33 of the 100 most admired in Argentina, as ranked by The Great Places to Work Institute, and the CEOP public opinion polling and research organization, respectively.

Market Opportunities/Challenges

This Country Commercial Guide presents useful information for companies to determine market potential and approaches to entering the Argentine market.  This year’s top market sectors described in Chapter Four are:   Agricultural Machinery Parts and Irrigation Equipment; Food Processing Equipment; ICT; Medical Equipment & Supplies; Mining Equipment; Plastics Machinery & Equipment; Renewable Energy Equipment; Safety & Security, Sporting Goods; and Travel & Tourism.

We encourage you to work with the U.S. Embassy to explore opportunities in all sectors.  Services offered by the U.S. Embassy can help American firms with market entry or expansion strategies, and advocacy for tender bid and policy obstacles.   The U.S. Embassy also stands ready to help U.S. companies understand and address market challenges.

In addition to the services of the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank is open for short and medium-term financing for U.S. exports to private sector clients in Argentina.  Long-term (15 years) financing is available for environmental projects on a case-by-case basis.  The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) offers assistance to U.S. private investors in the form of political risk insurance, as well as loans and loan guarantees for their direct investment in Argentina.

Market Entry Strategy 

• U.S. companies typically market their products and services through an Argentine agents, representatives and distributors.
• Market segmentation is key as it is increasingly difficult to establish a "typical customer" due to new consumption habits and to the dynamics of income distribution and demography.
• Personal relationships are fundamental when doing business in Argentina.  Success requires taking the time to develop close personal business relationships.
• U.S. companies must consider Argentina’s unique economic, demographic, and cultural characteristics that distinguish it from other Latin American countries.
• Marketing U.S. products and services in Argentina requires a high level of research, preparation, and involvement.
• An important component of the marketing mix is promotion.  Companies are encouraged to visit or exhibit at local and regional trade shows, and to visit trade shows in the U.S. attended by Argentine buyers.
• Always use a professional translator, and if possible, have a native Argentine speaker, such as your agent or distributor, review any materials before using them in the Argentine market.
• Protect your intellectual property and engage qualified local professionals in contract negotiations. 

The U.S. Embassy Commercial Service in Argentina provides a wide range of services to help U.S. companies enter and expand operations in the country.  For details on the services offered, 

How to Order

Country Commercial Guides can be ordered in hard copy or on diskette from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) at 1-800-553-NTIS.

The entire 2009 Argentina Country Commercial Guide is also available online: 

Doing Business in Argentina: A Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies

The Country Commercial Guide contains the following chapters:

1. Doing Business in Argentina
2. Political and Economic Environment
3. Selling U.S. Products and Services
4. Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment
5. Trade Regulations and Standards
6. Investment Climate
7. Trade and Project Financing
8. Business Travel
9. Contacts, Market Research and Trade Events
10. Guide to Our Services

In addition, please take note that all our market research is available in the U.S. Government Export Portal, free to registered users.   Just login and read it!

If you have not already joined the Export.gov community, register now and access all the market information offered by the federal government.