Brazil: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in Brazil

The Brazilian kaolin market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, with an increase of 40% against the previous year. In general, consumption posted a significant expansion. Kaolin consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Kaolin Production in Brazil

In value terms, kaolin production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 6.3%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from Brazil

In 2021, the amount of kaolin and kaolinic clays exported from Brazil shrank to X tons, waning by -9.2% compared with 2020. In general, exports saw a abrupt contraction. The smallest decline of -1.9% was in 2013. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin exports shrank to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 0.9%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Belgium (X tons) was the main destination for kaolin exports from Brazil, accounting for a 47% share of total exports. Moreover, kaolin exports to Belgium exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Canada (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (X tons), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Belgium stood at -4.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Canada (-2.8% per year) and the United States (-13.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for kaolin exported from Brazil were Belgium ($X), Canada ($X) and the United States ($X), with a combined 80% share of total exports. Italy, China, Spain, Japan and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

Spain, with a CAGR of -1.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average kaolin export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 7.6% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Finland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Spain (+6.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into Brazil

In 2021, overseas purchases of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased by 14% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, kaolin imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +109.5% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 31%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin to Brazil, accounting for a 87% share of total imports. Moreover, kaolin imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the UK (X tons), more than tenfold. France (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States amounted to +1.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+4.3% per year) and France (+7.1% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Brazil, comprising 87% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the UK ($X), with a 5.9% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 2.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from the United States totaled +3.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+9.4% per year) and China (+3.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average kaolin import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 12% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 13%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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