Argentina: Expanded Metal Market 2025

Expanded Metal Market Size in Argentina

In 2022, the Argentinian expanded metal market decreased by -4.7% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 8% against the previous year. Expanded metal consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Expanded Metal Production in Argentina

In value terms, expanded metal production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 7.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Expanded Metal Exports

Exports from Argentina

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of iron or steel expanded metal, when their volume increased by 854% to X tons. In general, exports, however, showed a pronounced descent. The exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, expanded metal exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a pronounced slump. The exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Uruguay (X tons), Paraguay (X tons) and Bolivia (X tons) were the main destinations of expanded metal exports from Argentina.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Uruguay (with a CAGR of +7.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest markets for expanded metal exported from Argentina were Uruguay ($X), Paraguay ($X) and Bolivia ($X).

Uruguay, with a CAGR of +7.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average expanded metal export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 32% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, expanded metal export price increased by +41.8% against 2020 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Paraguay ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Uruguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Peru (+19.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expanded Metal Imports

Imports into Argentina

In 2022, purchases abroad of iron or steel expanded metal increased by 92% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports recorded a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 326% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, expanded metal imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 212% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Paraguay (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of expanded metal to Argentina, accounting for a 58% share of total imports. Moreover, expanded metal imports from Paraguay exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), threefold. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 18% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Paraguay stood at -24.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+6.7% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.1% per year).

In value terms, the largest expanded metal suppliers to Argentina were Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), Paraguay ($X) and China ($X), with a combined 80% share of total imports. Italy, Belgium, Finland and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 18%.

Italy, with a CAGR of +46.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average expanded metal import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -39.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 85%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (+9.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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