Chile: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in Chile

The Chilean kaolin market fell slightly to $X in 2021, shrinking by -2.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a deep reduction. Kaolin consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Kaolin Production in Chile

In value terms, kaolin production reduced modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, faced a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 85%. Kaolin production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from Chile

In 2021, overseas shipments of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased by 129% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 2,167% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 943%. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Peru (X tons) was the main destination for kaolin exports from Chile, with a 55% share of total exports. Moreover, kaolin exports to Peru exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Argentina (X tons), threefold. Paraguay (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Peru totaled +26.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Argentina (-12.7% per year) and Paraguay (-11.7% per year).

In value terms, Peru ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from Chile, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Peru stood at +31.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Argentina (-3.5% per year) and Brazil (+3.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average kaolin export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 115%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Peru ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Paraguay ($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 Argentina (+10.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into Chile

Kaolin imports into Chile shrank modestly to X tons in 2021, with a decrease of -5% compared with the year before. Overall, imports saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 17%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, kaolin imports rose significantly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 16%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin to Chile, with a 72% share of total imports. Moreover, kaolin imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Peru (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Argentina (X tons), with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States amounted to -5.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Peru (-0.2% per year) and Argentina (-8.6% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Chile, comprising 83% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Peru ($X), with a 5.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 3.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States totaled +1.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Peru (+0.7% per year) and Argentina (-6.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average kaolin import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 13% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +6.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 22%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+10.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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