Argentina: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in Argentina

In 2021, the Argentinian kaolin market increased by 2.9% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after six years of decline. In general, consumption, however, showed a abrupt descent. Kaolin consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Kaolin Production in Argentina

In value terms, kaolin production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 61% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from Argentina

In 2021, shipments abroad of kaolin and kaolinic clays decreased by -15.4% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports showed a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 23%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin exports contracted notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 171% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Uruguay (X tons) was the main destination for kaolin exports from Argentina, accounting for a 67% share of total exports. Moreover, kaolin exports to Uruguay exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Paraguay (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Uruguay amounted to +23.2%.

In value terms, Uruguay ($X) remains the key foreign market for kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from Argentina, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Paraguay ($X), with a 28% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Uruguay totaled +14.6%.

Export Prices by Country

The average kaolin export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average export price increased by 201% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Uruguay ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Paraguay amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Chile (+0.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into Argentina

In 2021, imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays into Argentina expanded slightly to X tons, surging by 3.9% against 2020 figures. In general, imports, however, saw a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 76% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, kaolin imports rose slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The UK (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) were the main suppliers of kaolin imports to Argentina, with a combined 95% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Ukraine, India and China, which together accounted for a further 4.6%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Ukraine (with a CAGR of +50.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X), the UK ($X) and Brazil ($X) constituted the largest kaolin suppliers to Argentina, together accounting for 93% of total imports. These countries were followed by India, China and Ukraine, which together accounted for a further 7%.

Among the main suppliers, India, with a CAGR of +47.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average kaolin import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 70%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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