Latin America and the Caribbean: Alums Market 2024

Alums Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the Latin American alums market increased by 100% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total consumption indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Alums Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, alums production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the production volume increased by 11%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Alums Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of alums, when their volume decreased by -76.8% to X tons. In general, exports recorded a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 74%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then dropped notably in the following year.

In value terms, alums exports dropped sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 46%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

Colombia represented the key exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 46% of total exports. Uruguay (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 22% share, followed by Mexico (17%) and Ecuador (10%). Costa Rica (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to alums exports from Colombia stood at +5.9%. At the same time, Ecuador (+26.2%), Costa Rica (+22.5%) and Uruguay (+10.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ecuador emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +26.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Mexico (-24.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Colombia (+38 p.p.), Uruguay (+19 p.p.), Ecuador (+10 p.p.) and Costa Rica (+3.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Mexico saw its share reduced by -71% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest alums supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Uruguay ($X), Mexico ($X) and Colombia ($X), with a combined 80% share of total exports. Ecuador and Costa Rica lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 12%.

Among the main exporting countries, Ecuador, with a CAGR of +27.4%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -25.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the export price increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per ton), while Colombia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Alums Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, supplies from abroad of alums was finally on the rise to reach X tons after three years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 16%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, alums imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of alums, namely Guatemala, Ecuador and Peru, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Costa Rica (X tons) took a 9.3% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Honduras (4.7%). Chile (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Guatemala (with a CAGR of +43.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Guatemala ($X), Peru ($X) and Ecuador ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 63% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Guatemala, with a CAGR of +43.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 8.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 33%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Peru ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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