Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths 2025

Market Size for Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the Latin American market for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, showed a noticeable decrease. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, production of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a slight contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 73% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production of growth failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths increased by 297% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a pronounced shrinkage. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a deep slump. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Mexico (X tons) represented the key exporter of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths, constituting 58% of total exports. Jamaica (X tons) held a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the Dominican Republic (6.3%) and Brazil (4.5%). The following exporters - Venezuela (X tons), Guatemala (X tons) and Bahamas (X tons) - together made up 7.3% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths exports from Mexico stood at -2.8%. At the same time, Bahamas (+22.7%), Guatemala (+18.7%) and the Dominican Republic (+12.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahamas emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +22.7% from 2012-2021. Jamaica experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Venezuela (-8.3%) and Brazil (-22.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala and Bahamas increased by +19, +4.8, +4.1, +1.9 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 48% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Jamaica ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Brazil, with an 11% share.

In Mexico, exports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths plunged by an average annual rate of -10.1% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Jamaica (0.0% per year) and Brazil (-12.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -29.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 95%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Mexico ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+13.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of decline, supplies from abroad of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths increased by 25% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 46%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Bahamas (X tons) was the major importer of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths, committing 38% of total imports. Brazil (X tons) held an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Aruba (7.7%), Trinidad and Tobago (6%) and Cayman Islands (4.6%). The following importers - Peru (X tons), Paraguay (X tons), Ecuador (X tons), Colombia (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Cuba (X tons) and Turks and Caicos Islands (X tons) - together made up 16% of total imports.

Bahamas experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths. At the same time, Aruba (+52.3%), Paraguay (+30.9%), Peru (+24.5%), Cuba (+23.8%), Trinidad and Tobago (+21.9%), Brazil (+17.6%), Ecuador (+12.4%), Colombia (+6.4%) and Cayman Islands (+6.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Aruba emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +52.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Argentina (-23.5%) and Turks and Caicos Islands (-28.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Bahamas (+20 p.p.), Brazil (+16 p.p.), Aruba (+7.6 p.p.), Trinidad and Tobago (+5.5 p.p.), Peru (+4 p.p.), Cayman Islands (+3.2 p.p.), Paraguay (+2.4 p.p.), Ecuador (+2 p.p.) and Cuba (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Argentina (-7.6 p.p.) and Turks and Caicos Islands (-15.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Bahamas ($X), Brazil ($X) and Trinidad and Tobago ($X), together accounting for 50% of total imports. Aruba, Cuba, Colombia, Cayman Islands, Argentina, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador and Turks and Caicos Islands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Paraguay, with a CAGR of +48.5%, 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

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 4.3% against the previous year. Import price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, import price for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths increased by +7.9% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 48%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Cuba ($X per ton), while Turks and Caicos Islands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Trinidad and Tobago (+13.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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