MERCOSUR: Abrasives Market 2024

Abrasives Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the MERCOSUR abrasives market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. The total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -20.8% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Abrasives Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, abrasives production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% 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 -23.9% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 54%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Abrasives Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of abrasives (natural) increased by 50% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible setback. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, abrasives exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 70% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Argentina prevails in exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 90% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Ecuador (X tons), achieving a 5.9% share of total exports. The following exporters - Chile (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) - each amounted to a 3.4% share of total exports.

Argentina was also the fastest-growing in terms of the abrasives (natural) exports, with a CAGR of +2.5% from 2012 to 2021. Ecuador (-9.2%), Brazil (-18.0%) and Chile (-28.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Argentina increased by +39 percentage points.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest abrasives supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Ecuador, with a 3.3% share.

In Brazil, abrasives exports contracted by an average annual rate of -5.5% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Argentina (+0.9% per year) and Ecuador (-11.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -7.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the export price increased by 61% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Argentina ($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 (+15.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Abrasives Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of abrasives (natural), when their volume increased by 58% to X tons. Total imports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, 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, abrasives imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 65%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Brazil represented the main importer of abrasives (natural) in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 66% of total imports in 2021. Chile (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 11% share, followed by Argentina (6%), Suriname (5.4%), Colombia (5.4%) and Peru (4.5%).

Imports into Brazil increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Peru (+20.9%), Suriname (+14.8%) and Chile (+4.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +20.9% from 2012-2021. Argentina experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Colombia (-4.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+8.3 p.p.), Peru (+3.3 p.p.) and Suriname (+3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Argentina (-3.1 p.p.) and Colombia (-6.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported abrasives (natural) in MERCOSUR, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Peru, with a 7.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil totaled +10.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Chile (+1.5% per year) and Peru (+13.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, growing by 4.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 8.4%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Peru ($X per ton), while Suriname ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform