Latin America and the Caribbean: Worked Slate Market 2024

Worked Slate Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the Latin American worked slate market increased by 8.7% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after five years of decline. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a noticeable contraction. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Worked Slate Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, worked slate production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Worked Slate Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After four years of growth, overseas shipments of worked slate decreased by -7.5% to X tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, worked slate exports fell modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Exports by Country

Brazil dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was near 97% of total exports in 2022. Argentina (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to worked slate exports from Brazil stood at +1.0%. At the same time, Argentina (+33.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +33.0% from 2012-2022. While the share of Argentina (+2.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Brazil (-2.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest worked slate supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 96% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with a 3.5% share of total exports.

In Brazil, worked slate exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 7.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Brazil amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+2.7%).

Worked Slate Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the amount of worked slate imported in Latin America and the Caribbean dropped notably to X tons, which is down by -23.5% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports showed a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 36%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, worked slate imports shrank markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a mild slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 54%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Chile was the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which finished at 37% of total imports. Mexico (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Colombia (X tons), Uruguay (X tons), Argentina (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons). All these countries together held near 45% share of total imports. Trinidad and Tobago (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to worked slate imports into Chile stood at -6.6%. At the same time, Uruguay (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uruguay emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +2.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Argentina (-1.7%), Trinidad and Tobago (-2.0%), Colombia (-3.6%), Mexico (-7.6%) and Ecuador (-10.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Uruguay (+5.5 p.p.), Colombia (+2.7 p.p.) and Argentina (+2.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Chile (-1.7 p.p.), Mexico (-1.9 p.p.) and Ecuador (-3.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Chile ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported worked slate in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 43% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mexico ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Colombia, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Chile stood at -1.1%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mexico (-3.5% per year) and Colombia (-0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 11% against the previous year. Import price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, worked slate import price increased by +66.0% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+7.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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