MERCOSUR: Bentonite Market 2025

Bentonite Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR bentonite market reduced slightly to $X in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Bentonite Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, bentonite production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Bentonite Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the amount of bentonite exported in MERCOSUR expanded rapidly to X tons, growing by 5.2% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 6.1%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, bentonite exports rose slightly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 7.6%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X tons) was the largest exporter of bentonite, committing 77% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), committing a 17% share of total exports. Peru (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from Argentina decreased at an average annual rate of -6.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Peru (+6.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +6.5% from 2012-2022. Colombia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Brazil (-3.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+3.2 p.p.) and Peru (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Argentina (-6.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Argentina ($X), Brazil ($X) and Peru ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 96% of total exports.

Peru, with a CAGR of +7.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -1.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 12% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: 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 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+0.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Bentonite Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, approx. X tons of bentonite were imported in MERCOSUR; therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, showed a mild shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 25%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, bentonite imports rose remarkably to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% 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 +77.0% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 36%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) represented the key importer of bentonite, mixing up 44% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Chile (X tons), Colombia (X tons), Peru (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons), together committing a 53% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Chile (with a CAGR of +11.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest bentonite importing markets in MERCOSUR were Chile ($X), Brazil ($X) and Colombia ($X), together accounting for 86% of total imports.

Chile, with a CAGR of +14.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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, with an increase of 8.1% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the import price increased by 25%. The level of import peaked 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 Chile ($X per ton), while Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform