MERCOSUR: Market for Activated Natural Mineral Products 2024

Market Size for Activated Natural Mineral Products in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR activated natural mineral products market reached $X in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a pronounced contraction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Activated Natural Mineral Products in MERCOSUR

In value terms, activated natural mineral products production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Activated Natural Mineral Products

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, approx. X tons of activated natural mineral products were exported in MERCOSUR; dropping by -17.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports recorded a pronounced downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 14%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, activated natural mineral products exports shrank slightly to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 20%. 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

In 2021, Chile (X tons) was the key exporter of activated natural mineral products, making up 51% of total exports. Peru (X tons) took a 22% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Brazil (15%) and Argentina (11%).

Exports from Chile decreased at an average annual rate of -2.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Brazil (+7.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +7.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Peru (-6.9%) and Argentina (-12.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Brazil and Chile increased by +9.9 and +8.1 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Chile ($X), Brazil ($X) and Peru ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 93% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Brazil, with a CAGR of +9.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. As a result, the export 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 exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, 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 (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Activated Natural Mineral Products

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, supplies from abroad of activated natural mineral products decreased by -21.2% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. In general, imports recorded a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 18%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, activated natural mineral products imports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a slight slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 3.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons), distantly followed by Chile (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Peru (X tons), Colombia (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) represented the key importers of activated natural mineral products, together making up 94% of total imports. Paraguay (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Chile (with a CAGR of +9.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported activated natural mineral products in MERCOSUR, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Chile, with a 13% share.

In Brazil, activated natural mineral products imports shrank by an average annual rate of -3.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Argentina (-1.7% per year) and Chile (+5.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, rising by 19% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 28%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Colombia ($X per ton), while Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform