Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Laptops and Palm-Top Computers 2025

Market Size for Laptops and Palm-Top Computers in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American laptop and tablet computer market expanded to $X in 2021, surging by 3.5% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +66.1% against 2014 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Production of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +76.9% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 22%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Exports of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of laptops and palm-top computers, when their volume decreased by -15.2% to X units. Over the period under review, exports faced a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 40% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X units. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer exports declined to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 40% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mexico prevails in exports structure, accounting for X units, which was near 74% of total exports in 2021. Panama (X units) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Chile (X units). All these countries together took near 14% share of total exports. Costa Rica (X units), Guatemala (X units) and Brazil (X units) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from Mexico decreased at an average annual rate of -15.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Costa Rica (+15.9%), Brazil (+12.6%), Panama (+2.4%) and Chile (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Costa Rica emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +15.9% from 2012-2021. Guatemala experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Panama, Chile, Costa Rica and Guatemala increased by +7, +3.5, +3.2 and +2.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest laptop and tablet computer supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Chile ($X), with a 5.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Panama, with a 4.7% share.

In Mexico, laptop and tablet computer exports shrank by an average annual rate of -11.5% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Chile (+5.2% per year) and Panama (+1.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per unit, growing by 2.9% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 8.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per unit), while Costa Rica ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guatemala (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, overseas purchases of laptops and palm-top computers increased by 28% to X units, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +95.7% against 2016 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mexico (X units), distantly followed by Chile (X units), Peru (X units), Colombia (X units), Argentina (X units), Guatemala (X units) and El Salvador (X units) were the main importers of laptops and palm-top computers, together committing 76% of total imports. The following importers - Ecuador (X units), Costa Rica (X units), Honduras (X units), Panama (X units), Brazil (X units) and Paraguay (X units) - together made up 16% 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 Argentina (with a CAGR of +20.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($X), Chile ($X) and Colombia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 59% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Peru, Argentina, El Salvador, Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Guatemala, Panama and Honduras, which together accounted for a further 36%.

El Salvador, with a CAGR of +22.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 unit, rising by 11% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (+9.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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