Latin America and the Caribbean: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the Latin American expanded clays market decreased by -0.2% to $X, falling for the fourth consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced shrinkage. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Expanded Clays Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, expanded clays production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 24%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, overseas shipments of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag increased by 154% to X tons, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, exports continue to indicate resilient growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, expanded clays exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports posted a strong increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Mexico prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 95% of total exports in 2021. The following exporters - Brazil (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) - together made up 4.6% of total exports.

Mexico was also the fastest-growing in terms of the exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag exports, with a CAGR of +14.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Brazil (+5.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Argentina (-10.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Mexico (+15 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Brazil (-2.1 p.p.) and Argentina (-11.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest expanded clays supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 89% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 5.9% share of total exports.

In Mexico, expanded clays exports increased at an average annual rate of +17.1% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (+3.1% per year) and Argentina (-7.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -41.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then reduced notably in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, approx. X tons of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag were imported in Latin America and the Caribbean; dropping by -7.3% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports recorded a noticeable downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expanded clays imports totaled $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the four major importers of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag, namely Mexico, Brazil, Peru and Colombia, represented more than two-thirds of total import. It was distantly followed by Chile (X tons), comprising a 7.1% share of total imports. Uruguay (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), Ecuador (X tons), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (X tons), Costa Rica (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (with a CAGR of +75.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 47% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mexico ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Colombia, with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil totaled +8.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mexico (-8.7% per year) and Colombia (+0.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 8.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.6%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 29% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+6.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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