MERCOSUR: Chlorides Market 2024

Chlorides Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR chlorides market rose slightly to $X in 2021, picking up by 2.4% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +55.9% against 2015 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Chlorides Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, chlorides production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -5.2% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Chlorides Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, approx. X tons of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride) were exported in MERCOSUR; growing by 30% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 73% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, chlorides exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 28%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Argentina (X tons) represented the key exporter of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride), constituting 53% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Colombia (X tons), Uruguay (X tons) and Peru (X tons), together comprising a 40% share of total exports. Brazil (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to chlorides exports from Argentina stood at +5.2%. At the same time, Venezuela (+13.9%), Colombia (+13.6%) and Brazil (+5.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Venezuela emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +13.9% from 2012-2021. Uruguay experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Peru (-20.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Argentina (+31 p.p.), Colombia (+16 p.p.), Uruguay (+4.4 p.p.), Brazil (+2 p.p.) and Venezuela (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Peru (-35.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) remains the largest chlorides supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 89% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Colombia ($X), with a 5.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Uruguay, with a 1.6% share.

In Argentina, chlorides exports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (+10.2% per year) and Uruguay (+1.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -11% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, posted temperate growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by 137% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Argentina ($X per ton), while Uruguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Venezuela (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Chlorides Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, approx. X tons of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride) were imported in MERCOSUR; picking up by 14% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 57%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, chlorides imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 113%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons) and Chile (X tons) were the largest importers of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride) in MERCOSUR, together finishing at near 59% of total imports. Argentina (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with an 18% share, followed by Ecuador (6.9%), Colombia (6.8%) and Peru (5.9%). Uruguay (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Uruguay (with a CAGR of +21.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest chlorides importing markets in MERCOSUR were Brazil ($X), Chile ($X) and Colombia ($X), together comprising 70% of total imports. These countries were followed by Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Uruguay, which together accounted for a further 27%.

Among the main importing countries, Uruguay, with a CAGR of +13.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 18% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 35% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Colombia ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+6.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform