MERCOSUR: Market for Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers 2024

Market Size for Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR market for carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers skyrocketed to $X in 2022, jumping by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw moderate growth. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers in MERCOSUR

In value terms, production of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a slight downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 25%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production of growth remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers

Exports in MERCOSUR

For the fourth consecutive year, MERCOSUR recorded growth in shipments abroad of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers, which increased by 11% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 56%. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, exports of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a prominent increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Chile was the main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 69% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons) and Colombia (X tons), together achieving a 29% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers exports from Chile stood at +26.1%. At the same time, Brazil (+27.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +27.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Colombia (-9.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Chile and Brazil increased by +49 and +17 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Chile ($X) remains the largest carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 86% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 9.9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Chile amounted to +43.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (+3.6% per year) and Colombia (-11.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a pronounced shrinkage. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 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 Chile (+13.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, approx. X tons of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers were imported in MERCOSUR; increasing by 24% on 2021 figures. Overall, imports showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 96% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, imports of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed buoyant growth. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Brazil was the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 73% of total imports. Colombia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Peru (X tons). All these countries together took near 17% share of total imports. The following importers - Ecuador (X tons), Chile (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons) - together made up 8.9% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers imports into Brazil stood at +31.5%. At the same time, Paraguay (+38.5%), Ecuador (+10.2%) and Peru (+5.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Paraguay emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +38.5% from 2012-2022. Colombia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Chile (-11.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+59 p.p.) and Paraguay (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Peru (-4.1 p.p.), Colombia (-21.6 p.p.) and Chile (-26.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers in MERCOSUR, comprising 76% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with a 7.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Peru, with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Brazil totaled +30.8%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Colombia (-2.3% per year) and Peru (+2.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 40% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

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

Source: IndexBox Platform