Latin America and the Caribbean: Polycarbonate Market 2024

Polycarbonate Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American polycarbonate market fell to $X in 2022, which is down by -6.9% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +41.4% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Polycarbonate Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, polycarbonate production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, enjoyed perceptible growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 124% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Polycarbonate Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, overseas shipments of polycarbonates (in primary forms) increased by 3.6% to X tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. Total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% 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 +100.6% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 48%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, polycarbonate exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports enjoyed strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Mexico dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 89% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - El Salvador (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) - together made up 5.8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to polycarbonate exports from Mexico stood at +7.9%. At the same time, El Salvador (+38.8%) and Colombia (+10.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, El Salvador emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +38.8% from 2012-2022. While the share of Mexico (+9.8 p.p.) and El Salvador (+3.5 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest polycarbonate supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 93% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by El Salvador ($X), with a 2% share of total exports.

In Mexico, polycarbonate exports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: El Salvador (+44.6% per year) and Colombia (+7.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 27% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by El Salvador (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Polycarbonate Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, supplies from abroad of polycarbonates (in primary forms) decreased by -10.2% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed moderate growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 67% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate imports declined slightly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +40.0% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 41%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Mexico (X tons) represented the key importer of polycarbonates (in primary forms), creating 72% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), generating a 15% share of total imports. The following importers - Chile (X tons), Argentina (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) - together made up 9.5% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to polycarbonate imports into Mexico stood at +4.1%. At the same time, Colombia (+6.6%), Chile (+5.1%), Argentina (+2.4%) and Brazil (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Colombia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +6.6% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Mexico increased by +4.3 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported polycarbonates (in primary forms) in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Chile, with a 3.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mexico stood at +5.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+3.5% per year) and Chile (+5.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 10% against the previous year. Import price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, polycarbonate import price decreased by -40.2% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 63% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 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 Mexico ($X per ton), while Colombia ($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 (+1.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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