Latin America and the Caribbean: Alkali Metals Market 2025

Alkali Metals Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American alkali metals market surged to $X in 2021, increasing by 20% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a noticeable slump. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Alkali Metals Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, alkali metals production rose sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 60%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Alkali Metals Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, alkali metals exports in Latin America and the Caribbean reached X tons, increasing by 2% on the previous year's figure. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 60%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, alkali metals exports fell dramatically to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 96%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Mexico dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 57% of total exports in 2021. Chile (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 8.6% share, followed by Guatemala (6.9%), Argentina (6.6%), Brazil (6.5%) and Peru (5.1%). Jamaica (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to alkali metals exports from Mexico stood at -9.5%. At the same time, Jamaica (+32.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Jamaica emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +32.7% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Peru (-5.6%), Argentina (-7.9%), Brazil (-9.9%), Chile (-11.2%) and Guatemala (-21.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Mexico (+9.5 p.p.), Jamaica (+3.3 p.p.), Peru (+2.2 p.p.) and Argentina (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Guatemala (-14.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest alkali metals supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 79% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 9% share of total exports. It was followed by Peru, with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mexico stood at -18.8%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Chile (+14.0% per year) and Peru (-5.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -30.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the export price increased by 22%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per ton), while Jamaica ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+28.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Alkali Metals Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, approx. X tons of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury were imported in Latin America and the Caribbean; increasing by 23% against the previous year. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced decrease. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, alkali metals imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 38%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Argentina (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Mexico (X tons) represented the major importer of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury in Latin America and the Caribbean, committing 79% of total import. Colombia (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Paraguay (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 10% share of total imports. Bolivia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Paraguay (with a CAGR of +131.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Colombia ($X), Bolivia ($X) and Brazil ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 60% of total imports. These countries were followed by Argentina, Mexico and Paraguay, which together accounted for a further 27%.

Among the main importing countries, Paraguay, with a CAGR of +93.5%, 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 import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -7% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the import price increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Bolivia ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bolivia (+22.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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