El Center for International Strategies for Governments (CIG) from the Universidad Austral published the 2nd edition of its quarterly report in 2026: «Strengthening subnational export capacities: Analysis of the performance of Argentine foreign trade and its territorial dimension«.

The study shows that Argentina's export map is undergoing a profound transformation: the country is not replacing its traditional export structure, but incorporating new growth engines with a strong federal impact.

The Patagonian advance and the energy leap

Patagonia's share of exports rose from 14,8% in 2025 to 17,8% in the first half of 2026, driven primarily by the energy sector. The most striking example is Neuquén:

• It reached exports of US$ 4.283 billion with a year-on-year increase of 84,5%.
• It went from representing just 0,25% of national shipments in 2015 to 8,7% in 2026.
• It consolidated itself as the third exporting province in the country, behind Buenos Aires and Santa Fe.

This dynamism is supported by the development of Vaca Muerta: crude oil sales climbed to US$4.693 billion (+47,7% year-on-year) and fuel sales grew by 53,5%. In addition to the foreign exchange earnings, this increased domestic supply significantly reduced external dependence: the index of imported quantities of fuels and lubricants fell by 62,1% between 2022 and the first half of 2026.

Sectoral diversification and new destinations

While the agribusiness sector remains the main pillar of foreign trade, accounting for 32% of the total, other sectors are advancing at a faster pace:

• Metallic minerals and lithium: They registered a year-on-year increase of 111,1%.
• Fuels and Energy: they grew by 42,5%.
• Manufactured Goods of Industrial Origin (MOI): increased by 27,5%.

This expansion also drives the opening up to strategic markets: during the first half of the year, shipments to China climbed 59,1%, to the ASEAN bloc 59,8% and to the United States 42,1%.

The challenge: local roots and capabilities

From the CIG's perspective, the true strategic challenge lies in ensuring that this export growth translates into genuine territorial productive development. The expansion of Vaca Muerta, mining, and new sectors must serve as a platform to strengthen local and regional supply chains, attract investment, transfer technology, and generate skilled employment and engineering infrastructure that remain in the provinces and municipalities.

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