Latin America and the Caribbean: Office Supply Market 2024

Office Supply Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American office supply market expanded modestly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a slight expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Office Supply Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, office supply production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 11%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Office Supply Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, overseas shipments of office or school supplies of plastics increased by 23% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 35%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, office supply exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a noticeable curtailment. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mexico dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 89% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Brazil (X tons) and Panama (X tons) - together made up 5.2% of total exports.

Exports from Mexico decreased at an average annual rate of -2.9% from 2012 to 2022. Brazil (-2.4%) and Panama (-19.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Mexico (+16 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Panama (-7.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest office supply supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 4.3% share of total exports.

In Mexico, office supply exports contracted by an average annual rate of -2.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (-1.8% per year) and Panama (-22.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, rising by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 72%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Panama ($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 (+0.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Office Supply Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, purchases abroad of office or school supplies of plastics increased by 26% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced curtailment. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, office supply imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible decrease. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Mexico (X tons), distantly followed by Chile (X tons), Argentina (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) represented the main importers of office or school supplies of plastics, together committing 55% of total imports. Guatemala (X tons), Bolivia (X tons), Brazil (X tons), Nicaragua (X tons), Panama (X tons), Peru (X tons), Ecuador (X tons), the Dominican Republic (X tons) and El Salvador (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Nicaragua (with a CAGR of +17.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest office supply importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Mexico ($X), Chile ($X) and Guatemala ($X), together comprising 46% of total imports. Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Colombia, Brazil, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, El Salvador and Bolivia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

Nicaragua, with a CAGR of +17.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, approximately equating the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the import price increased by 3.8% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 the Dominican Republic ($X per ton), while Bolivia ($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 (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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