MERCOSUR: Alums Market 2024

Alums Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the MERCOSUR alums market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption saw a deep downturn. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Alums Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, alums production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 18%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Alums Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, approx. X tons of alums were exported in MERCOSUR; growing by 2.3% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 50% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, alums exports expanded significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 7.2%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Colombia represented the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 59% of total exports. Uruguay (X tons) took a 28% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Ecuador (13%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to alums exports from Colombia stood at +5.9%. At the same time, Ecuador (+26.2%) and Uruguay (+10.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ecuador emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +26.2% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Ecuador and Uruguay increased by +10 and +5 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the largest alums supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Uruguay ($X), Colombia ($X) and Ecuador ($X), with a combined 98% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Ecuador, with a CAGR of +27.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 3.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 7.5% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Uruguay ($X per ton), while Colombia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ecuador (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Alums Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

After three years of growth, overseas purchases of alums decreased by -7.2% to X tons in 2022. Total imports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +48.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, alums imports stood at $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 44%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Ecuador (X tons) and Peru (X tons) prevails in imports structure, together making up 76% of total imports. Chile (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Venezuela (X tons) and Argentina (X tons). All these countries together took near 17% share of total imports. Colombia (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +23.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Peru ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported alums in MERCOSUR, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ecuador ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Chile, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Peru stood at +7.9%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ecuador (+2.0% per year) and Chile (+4.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 9.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the import price increased by 17% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Brazil ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform