Chile: Lime Market 2025

Lime Market Size in Chile

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in the Chilean lime market, when its value decreased by -5.1% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Lime consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Lime Production in Chile

In value terms, lime production shrank modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 26% against the previous year. Lime production peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Lime Exports

Exports from Chile

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime, when their volume increased by 150% to X tons. In general, exports, however, recorded a abrupt curtailment. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

New Zealand (X tons), Peru (X tons) and Panama (X tons) were the main destinations of lime exports from Chile, together accounting for 85% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for New Zealand (with a CAGR of +39.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for lime exported from Chile were New Zealand ($X), Peru ($X) and Panama ($X), with a combined 85% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, New Zealand, with a CAGR of +44.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lime export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, lime export price increased by +91.7% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was New Zealand ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Panama ($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 (+40.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lime Imports

Imports into Chile

In 2021, approx. X tons of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime were imported into Chile; waning by -12.4% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lime imports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Argentina (X tons) constituted the largest lime supplier to Chile, with a 85% share of total imports. Moreover, lime imports from Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Colombia (X tons), more than tenfold. Mexico (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 3.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Argentina totaled -2.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Colombia (+141.9% per year) and Mexico (+57.0% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constituted the largest supplier of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to Chile, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($X), with a 6.3% share of total imports. It was followed by Colombia, with a 5.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Argentina amounted to -2.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+233.7% per year) and Colombia (+151.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lime import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 3.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (+4.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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