Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2025

Market Size for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) dropped modestly to $X in 2021, waning by -2% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a noticeable reduction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Production of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production shrank modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 31% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, exports of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) in Latin America and the Caribbean reduced to X tons, declining by -9.1% on the year before. In general, exports saw a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 58% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports expanded to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Mexico (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) dominates exports structure, together mixing up 91% of total exports. Argentina (X tons) and Panama (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Panama (with a CAGR of +42.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Mexico ($X), Brazil ($X) and Argentina ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 96% share of total exports. Panama lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 1.4%.

Panama, with a CAGR of +46.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 18%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Brazil ($X per ton) and Mexico ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) and Panama ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+6.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports declined to X tons in 2021, shrinking by -7.1% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports showed a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 15%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports rose sharply to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons), distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), Chile (X tons), Peru (X tons), Colombia (X tons), the Dominican Republic (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), Paraguay (X tons) and Mexico (X tons) represented the key importers of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap), together creating 85% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Paraguay (with a CAGR of +24.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Argentina ($X) and Mexico ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 51% share of total imports. Chile, Colombia, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay and Guatemala lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

Paraguay, with a CAGR of +26.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 15% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per ton), while Guatemala ($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 (+6.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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