Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) 2025

Market Size for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in Latin America and the Caribbean

For the fourth consecutive year, the Latin American market for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 1.5% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, production of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 60% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Exports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, overseas shipments of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) were finally on the rise to reach X tons after three years of decline. Overall, exports, however, showed a deep reduction. 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 siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) expanded sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports of failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Peru was the major exporter of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 56% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), achieving a 31% share of total exports. Mexico (X tons), Costa Rica (X tons), Chile (X tons), Guatemala (X tons) and Cuba (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Costa Rica (with a CAGR of +16.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Peru ($X), Argentina ($X) and Mexico ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 79% of total exports. Costa Rica, Guatemala, Chile and Cuba lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Costa Rica, with a CAGR of +28.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -19.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 51%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+14.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, purchases abroad of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 18%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) rose notably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports of attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Brazil represented the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 46% of total imports. Chile (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 21% share, followed by Guatemala (11%). The following importers - Uruguay (X tons), Mexico (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Colombia (X tons), Paraguay (X tons) and Bolivia (X tons) - together made up 16% of total imports.

Imports into Brazil increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Guatemala (+22.5%), Paraguay (+14.0%), Bolivia (+7.3%), Uruguay (+4.5%) and Mexico (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guatemala emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +22.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Chile (-4.0%), Argentina (-4.3%) and Colombia (-8.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Guatemala (+8.8 p.p.) and Brazil (+8.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Argentina, Colombia and Chile saw its share reduced by -1.6%, -3.1% and -12.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Guatemala, with a 9.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil stood at +3.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Chile (-1.6% per year) and Guatemala (+21.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -4.9% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Paraguay ($X per ton), while Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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