Margarine and Shortening Market in Latin America and the Caribbean to Continue Moderate Expansion

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'Latin America and the Caribbean - Margarine And Shortening - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The revenue of the margarine and shortening market in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $1.8B in 2018, leveling off at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period.

Consumption By Country in Latin America and the Caribbean

Brazil (596K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of margarine and shortening consumption, comprising approx. 36% of total volume. Moreover, margarine and shortening consumption in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Chile (183K tons), threefold. Mexico (183K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 11% share.

In Brazil, margarine and shortening consumption increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2007-2018. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Chile (-4.7% per year) and Mexico (+6.7% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($652M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Mexico ($285M). It was followed by Colombia.

In 2018, the highest levels of margarine and shortening per capita consumption was registered in Chile (10,048 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Venezuela (3,820 kg per 1000 persons), Colombia (3,529 kg per 1000 persons) and Peru (3,442 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of margarine and shortening was estimated at 2,528 kg per 1000 persons.

Market Forecast 2019-2025 in Latin America and the Caribbean

Driven by increasing demand for margarine and shortening in Latin America and the Caribbean, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next seven years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the period from 2018 to 2025, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.9M tons by the end of 2025.

Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

The margarine and shortening production totaled 1.5M tons in 2018, increasing by 2.7% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2007 to 2018. The volume of margarine and shortening production peaked in 2018 and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Production By Country in Latin America and the Caribbean

Brazil (556K tons) remains the largest margarine and shortening producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising approx. 38% of total volume. It was followed by Argentina (199K tons) and Colombia (160K tons) which ranked second and third, respectively, in terms of total production.

In Brazil, margarine and shortening production remained relatively stable over the period from 2007-2018. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Argentina (+1.2% per year) and Colombia (+6.3% per year).

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2018, the exports of margarine and shortening in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 271K tons, dropping by -5.5% against the previous year. In value terms, margarine and shortening exports amounted to $350M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

Argentina remians the largest exporter of margarine and shortening exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of exports accounting for 107K tons, which was approx. 39% of total exports in 2018. Uruguay (30K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 11% share, followed by Mexico (9.9%), Colombia (9.5%), Guatemala (8.4%) and Brazil (5.1%). El Salvador (11K tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from Argentina decreased at an average annual rate of -4.4% from 2007 to 2018. At the same time, Uruguay (+14.4%), Mexico (+13.4%), Colombia (+7.7%) and Guatemala (+7.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uruguay emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +14.4% from 2007-2018. El Salvador experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Brazil (-5.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period.

In value terms, the largest margarine and shortening exporters in Latin America and the Caribbean were Argentina ($90M), Uruguay ($88M) and Mexico ($41M), together comprising 62% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Uruguay recorded the highest growth rate of market size, over the period under review, while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the margarine and shortening export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $1,289 per ton, remaining relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Uruguay ($2,930 per ton), while Argentina ($842 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by El Salvador, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2018, the margarine and shortening imports in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to 456K tons, surging by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, margarine and shortening imports attained their maximum in 2018 and are expected to retain its growth in the immediate term. In value terms, margarine and shortening imports totaled $600M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

Chile represents the key importer of margarine and shortening imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports resulting at 149K tons, which was near 33% of total imports in 2018. Mexico (55K tons) took a 12% share (based on tons) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Brazil (12%), Colombia (9%) and El Salvador (6.3%). Argentina (18K tons), Peru (11K tons), Guatemala (11K tons), Panama (10K tons), Trinidad and Tobago (7.5K tons), Nicaragua (7.2K tons) and Honduras (7.1K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Chile decreased at an average annual rate of -5.6% from 2007 to 2018. At the same time, El Salvador (+12.0%), Colombia (+12.0%), Honduras (+11.3%), Trinidad and Tobago (+10.8%), Brazil (+10.5%), Argentina (+7.4%), Panama (+6.5%), Mexico (+3.6%) and Guatemala (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, El Salvador emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +12.0% from 2007-2018. Peru and Nicaragua experienced a relatively flat trend pattern.

In value terms, Chile ($144M), Mexico ($113M) and Brazil ($90M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, together comprising 58% of total imports. These countries were followed by Colombia, Argentina, El Salvador, Peru, Guatemala, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Nicaragua and Honduras, which together accounted for a further 30%.

Import Prices by Country

The margarine and shortening import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $1,316 per ton in 2018, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($2,042 per ton), while Colombia ($947 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Companies Mentioned

Conagra Brands, Inc.

Bunge Limited

Allianza Team

Molinos Río de la Plata SA.

BRF S.A.

Seara Alimentos S.A.

JBS S.A.

Team Foods Colombia S.A.

Gradesa S.A.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform