MERCOSUR: Activated Carbon Market 2024

Activated Carbon Market Size in MERCOSUR

For the third year in a row, the MERCOSUR activated carbon market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 13% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Activated Carbon Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, activated carbon production expanded modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 58%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Activated Carbon Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, approx. X tons of activated carbon were exported in MERCOSUR; which is down by -15% on 2021 figures. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a notable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 106% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then declined notably in the following year.

In value terms, activated carbon exports shrank dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 110%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then plummeted in the following year.

Exports by Country

Colombia (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) were the largest exporters of activated carbon in 2022, resulting at near 44% and 31% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Suriname (X tons) and Peru (X tons), together committing a 17% share of total exports. Guyana (X tons), Paraguay (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Paraguay (with a CAGR of +42.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Suriname ($X) and Colombia ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 84% share of total exports. Peru, Argentina, Paraguay and Guyana lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.

Among the main exporting countries, Peru, with a CAGR of +33.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -8.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a perceptible setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Suriname (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Activated Carbon Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of activated carbon decreased by -4.2% to X tons in 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 21%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, activated carbon imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Peru (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) represented roughly 59% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), Suriname (X tons) and Chile (X tons), together creating a 29% share of total imports. Ecuador (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Suriname (with a CAGR of +33.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Argentina ($X) and Peru ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 73% of total imports. Suriname, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

Suriname, with a CAGR of +40.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, surging by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue 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 Suriname ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Suriname (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform