Chile: Caustic Soda Market 2024

Caustic Soda Market Size in Chile

In 2021, the Chilean caustic soda market was finally on the rise to reach $X after three years of decline. In general, consumption, however, showed a perceptible decrease. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Caustic Soda Production in Chile

In value terms, caustic soda production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 70%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports from Chile

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of caustic soda, when their volume decreased by -25.8% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, posted a temperate expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 85% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, caustic soda exports rose remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 490% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Argentina (X tons) was the main destination for caustic soda exports from Chile, accounting for a 75% share of total exports. Moreover, caustic soda exports to Argentina exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mauritania (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (X kg), with a 1.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Argentina stood at +12.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mauritania (-5.2% per year) and the United States (+65.1% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($X), the United States ($X) and Mauritania ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for caustic soda exported from Chile worldwide, with a combined 97% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Argentina, with a CAGR of +20.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average caustic soda export price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted a slight expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 449%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mauritania ($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 Peru (+24.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports into Chile

In 2021, purchases abroad of caustic soda increased by 0.3% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a noticeable reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, caustic soda imports reached $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a mild setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 53%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest caustic soda supplier to Chile, with a 86% share of total imports. Moreover, caustic soda imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Peru (X tons), tenfold. China (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 1.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States stood at -4.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Peru (-8.3% per year) and China (-8.2% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of caustic soda to Chile, comprising 84% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Peru ($X), with an 8.8% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 2.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States stood at -1.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Peru (-4.9% per year) and China (-8.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average caustic soda import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 4.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded pronounced growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from China ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while the price for the United States ($X per ton) and Peru ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+3.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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