Latin America and the Caribbean: Lead Market 2024

Lead Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American lead market fell to $X in 2022, shrinking by -8.2% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Lead Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, lead production fell modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 28%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lead Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, shipments abroad of lead increased by 39% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Total exports indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +39.2% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 52%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lead exports amounted to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 74% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Mexico (X tons) represented the major exporter of lead, comprising 67% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Ecuador (X tons), mixing up an 11% share of total exports. The following exporters - Chile (X tons), Costa Rica (X tons), Peru (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons) - together made up 16% of total exports.

Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of lead. At the same time, Paraguay (+30.4%), Brazil (+18.3%), Ecuador (+13.7%), Costa Rica (+9.3%), Peru (+4.6%) and Chile (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Paraguay emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +30.4% from 2012-2022. While the share of Ecuador (+7.6 p.p.), Brazil (+2.2 p.p.) and Costa Rica (+2.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Mexico (-2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest lead supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ecuador ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Chile, with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mexico totaled -1.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ecuador (+13.8% per year) and Chile (+2.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -25.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a slight curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Mexico ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (+12.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lead Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of lead decreased by -5.2% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lead imports fell to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 45%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Imports by Country

Brazil represented the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which accounted for 56% of total imports. Mexico (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Colombia (13%) and Cayman Islands (8.7%). Peru (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

Imports into Brazil decreased at an average annual rate of -1.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Cayman Islands (+73.0%) and Colombia (+6.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cayman Islands emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +73.0% from 2012-2022. Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Peru (-7.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Cayman Islands (+8.6 p.p.) and Colombia (+6.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Peru and Brazil saw its share reduced by -3.6% and -3.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lead in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 10% share.

In Brazil, lead imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Colombia (+7.0% per year) and Mexico (-2.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -5.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 19%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 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 Brazil ($X per ton), while Mexico ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cayman Islands (+6.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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