Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene) 2025

Market Size for Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene) in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in the Latin American polystyrene in primary forms market, when its value increased by 9.9% to $X. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene) in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, polystyrene in primary forms production rose sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 28%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene)

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, approx. X tons of polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) were exported in Latin America and the Caribbean; reducing by -4.8% compared with 2020 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, polystyrene in primary forms exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons) and Mexico (X tons) were the largest exporters of polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) in 2021, resulting at approx. 38% and 34% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Colombia (X tons) and Argentina (X tons), together comprising a 27% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +32.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polystyrene in primary forms supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Brazil ($X), Mexico ($X) and Colombia ($X), together comprising 94% of total exports.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +30.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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, jumping by 61% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Argentina ($X per ton) and Colombia ($X per ton), while Brazil ($X per ton) and Mexico ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene)

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, supplies from abroad of polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, polystyrene in primary forms imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mexico (X tons) represented the major importer of polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene), committing 45% of total imports. Brazil (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by the Dominican Republic (X tons), Peru (X tons), Ecuador (X tons) and El Salvador (X tons). All these countries together held near 38% share of total imports. Colombia (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to polystyrene in primary forms imports into Mexico stood at +2.4%. At the same time, Brazil (+9.4%), Ecuador (+4.7%), El Salvador (+4.0%) and Colombia (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +9.4% from 2012-2021. The Dominican Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Peru (-2.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Brazil and Mexico increased by +4.6 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 47% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by the Dominican Republic, with a 9.5% share.

In Mexico, polystyrene in primary forms imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+7.3% per year) and the Dominican Republic (-0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a slight slump. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Brazil ($X per ton) and Mexico ($X per ton), while Colombia ($X per ton) and Ecuador ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by El Salvador (-0.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :