Latin America and the Caribbean: Common Clay Market 2024

Common Clay Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American common clay market shrank slightly to $X in 2022, dropping by -2.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a abrupt decline. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Common Clay Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, common clay production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 33%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Common Clay Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of common clay, when their volume decreased by -11.4% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 86%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, common clay exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed buoyant growth. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Peru represented the key exporter of common clay in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 76% of total exports in 2022. Colombia (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Brazil (7.2%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to common clay exports from Peru stood at +8.5%. At the same time, Colombia (+13.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Colombia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +13.0% from 2012-2022. Brazil experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Peru and Colombia increased by +11 and +6.6 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) emerged as the largest common clay supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Peru ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Brazil stood at +9.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Peru (+4.3% per year) and Colombia (+1.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 80% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight decline. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, 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 Brazil ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+10.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Common Clay Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in supplies from abroad of common clay, when their volume decreased by -3.9% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 87% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, common clay imports reached $X in 2022. Total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +42.5% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 37%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Mexico prevails in imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 71% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Ecuador (X tons) and Colombia (X tons), together making up a 17% share of total imports. The following importers - Guatemala (X tons) and Chile (X tons) - together made up 5.3% of total imports.

Imports into Mexico increased at an average annual rate of +18.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Chile (+30.6%), Guatemala (+5.9%) and Colombia (+4.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Chile emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +30.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Ecuador (-1.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Mexico and Chile increased by +38 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported common clay in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Guatemala, with a 6.3% share.

In Mexico, common clay imports expanded at an average annual rate of +14.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Colombia (+4.4% per year) and Guatemala (+8.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 8.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the import price increased by 18% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guatemala (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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