MERCOSUR: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR expanded clays market shrank modestly to $X in 2021, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a noticeable reduction. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Expanded Clays Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, expanded clays production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 36%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, overseas shipments of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a five-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, showed a noticeable slump. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expanded clays exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a pronounced curtailment. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Brazil was the largest exporter of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag in MERCOSUR, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 58% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), comprising a 37% share of total exports. Venezuela (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Venezuela (with a CAGR of +12.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Argentina ($X) and Venezuela ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 97% share of total exports.

Venezuela, with a CAGR of +23.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 28% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the export price increased by 44%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($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 (+9.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

For the fourth consecutive year, MERCOSUR recorded decline in supplies from abroad of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag, which decreased by -5.6% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, expanded clays imports expanded to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -32.4% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 58% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons), Peru (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) was the main importer of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag in MERCOSUR, making up 73% of total import. Chile (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Uruguay (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 18% share of total imports. The following importers - Ecuador (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons) - together made up 6.6% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Paraguay (with a CAGR of +17.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag in MERCOSUR, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Colombia ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Chile, with a 7.6% share.

In Brazil, expanded clays imports expanded at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (+0.3% per year) and Chile (-2.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 9% against the previous year. Import price indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, expanded clays import price increased by +9.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the import price increased by 49%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($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 (+6.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform