Latin America and the Caribbean: Quicklime Market 2024

Quicklime Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American quicklime market contracted slightly to $X in 2022, falling by -2% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 6.6%. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Quicklime Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, quicklime production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 7.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Quicklime Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of quicklime increased by 7% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 9.1% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, quicklime exports totaled $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -30.6% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X tons) represented the key exporter of quicklime, mixing up 73% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Uruguay (X tons) and Peru (X tons), together generating a 20% share of total exports. Mexico (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Argentina experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of quicklime. At the same time, Peru (+21.6%), Mexico (+17.4%) and Uruguay (+16.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +21.6% from 2012-2022. While the share of Uruguay (+11 p.p.), Peru (+4.4 p.p.) and Mexico (+3.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Argentina (-12.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) remains the largest quicklime supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Uruguay ($X), with a 20% share of total exports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 6.3% share.

In Argentina, quicklime exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Uruguay (+22.7% per year) and Mexico (+18.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 4.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 9.5%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Mexico ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uruguay (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Quicklime Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Quicklime imports surged to X tons in 2022, growing by 21% against the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, quicklime imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Chile represented the key importer of quicklime in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 63% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), Panama (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons), together committing a 24% share of total imports. Suriname (X tons), Jamaica (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to quicklime imports into Chile stood at +1.7%. At the same time, Panama (+156.2%), Ecuador (+76.4%), the Dominican Republic (+60.6%), Jamaica (+20.5%), Brazil (+19.2%) and Suriname (+12.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Panama emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +156.2% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Brazil, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Suriname and Ecuador increased by +8.9, +6.8, +5, +2.6, +2.2 and +2 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Chile ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported quicklime in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Panama, with a 6.9% share.

In Chile, quicklime imports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+20.7% per year) and Panama (+142.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 3.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 7.8%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat 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 Suriname ($X per ton), while Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Dominican Republic (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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