Latin America and the Caribbean: Matches Market 2025

Matches Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the Latin American matches market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2015, thus ending a five-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, saw a slight slump. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Matches Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, matches production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Matches Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the amount of matches exported in Latin America and the Caribbean shrank to X tons, declining by -1.6% compared with the year before. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, matches exports dropped modestly to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 9.9%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), Chile (X tons) and Honduras (X tons) represented roughly 91% of total exports in 2021. Mexico (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Ecuador (with a CAGR of +12.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Chile ($X) and Guatemala ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 81% of total exports.

Chile, with a CAGR of +11.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the export price increased by 5.8% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, 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 Chile ($X per ton), while Honduras ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+2.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Matches Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, overseas purchases of matches were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 6.1% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, matches imports stood at $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 5.5%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of matches imports in 2021 were Haiti (X tons), Bolivia (X tons), El Salvador (X tons), Nicaragua (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), Honduras (X tons), Peru (X tons), Paraguay (X tons) and Panama (X tons), together finishing at 81% of total import.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Panama (with a CAGR of +203.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Bolivia ($X), El Salvador ($X) and Nicaragua ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 39% of total imports. These countries were followed by Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Paraguay, Panama and Peru, which together accounted for a further 40%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Panama, with a CAGR of +140.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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, which is down by -2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 3%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bolivia (+1.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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