Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins and Diapers 2024

Market Size for Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins and Diapers in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American sanitary towel and diaper market shrank to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -4% against the previous year. The market value 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 throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Production of Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins and Diapers in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, sanitary towel and diaper production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by +0.4% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 33%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins and Diapers

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After three years of decline, shipments abroad of sanitary towels, tampons, napkins and diapers increased by 1.7% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sanitary towel and diaper exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mexico was the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which recorded 52% of total exports. Costa Rica (X tons) held a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Colombia (11%), Brazil (5.8%) and Argentina (5.5%). Peru (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

Mexico was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sanitary towels, tampons, napkins and diapers exports, with a CAGR of +10.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Ecuador (+5.6%) and Brazil (+4.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Costa Rica (-3.7%), Colombia (-4.7%), Peru (-6.6%) and Argentina (-11.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Mexico and Brazil increased by +31 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest sanitary towel and diaper supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Costa Rica ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Colombia, with an 11% share.

In Mexico, sanitary towel and diaper exports increased at an average annual rate of +11.1% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Costa Rica (+0.0% per year) and Colombia (-6.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Mexico ($X per ton) and Costa Rica ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) and Ecuador ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Costa Rica (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins and Diapers

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, purchases abroad of sanitary towels, tampons, napkins and diapers increased by 0.4% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% 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 2017 when imports increased by 14%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, sanitary towel and diaper imports stood at $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The Dominican Republic (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), Peru (X tons), Chile (X tons), Bolivia (X tons), Honduras (X tons), Venezuela (X tons), Panama (X tons), El Salvador (X tons), Paraguay (X tons), Nicaragua (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) represented roughly 74% of total imports in 2021. Ecuador (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Panama (with a CAGR of +38.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sanitary towel and diaper importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Chile ($X), Guatemala ($X) and Peru ($X), with a combined 26% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Brazil, Paraguay and Ecuador, which together accounted for a further 50%.

Panama, with a CAGR of +38.5%, saw the highest growth rate of 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

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 2.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 4.7%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, 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 Panama ($X per ton), while Bolivia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by El Salvador (+2.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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