MERCOSUR: Market for Hot-Rolled Bars In Bearing Steels 2025

Market Size for Hot-Rolled Bars In Bearing Steels in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR hot-rolled bearing steel bar market fell to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a pronounced reduction. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Hot-Rolled Bars In Bearing Steels in MERCOSUR

In value terms, hot-rolled bearing steel bar production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 36% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Hot-Rolled Bars In Bearing Steels

Exports in MERCOSUR

Hot-rolled bearing steel bar exports expanded significantly to X tons in 2022, growing by 8.8% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports showed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 84%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, hot-rolled bearing steel bar exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports enjoyed a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 95%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Chile represented the main exporter of hot-rolled bars in bearing steels in MERCOSUR, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 74% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), committing a 25% share of total exports.

Chile was also the fastest-growing in terms of the hot-rolled bars in bearing steels exports, with a CAGR of +100.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Brazil (+3.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Chile (+74 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Brazil saw its share reduced by -15.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Chile ($X) remains the largest hot-rolled bearing steel bar supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 29% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Chile amounted to +89.7%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 39% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Chile amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (-1.0%).

Imports of Hot-Rolled Bars In Bearing Steels

Imports in MERCOSUR

Hot-rolled bearing steel bar imports dropped to X tons in 2022, reducing by -10.5% compared with the year before. Total imports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% 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 +10.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled bearing steel bar imports dropped modestly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% 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 +67.7% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 75% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Peru represented the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which amounted to 51% of total imports. Chile (X tons) took a 23% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Brazil (15%) and Argentina (5.7%). Colombia (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Peru was also the fastest-growing in terms of the hot-rolled bars in bearing steels imports, with a CAGR of +18.1% from 2012 to 2022. Brazil experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Colombia (-2.2%), Chile (-3.2%) and Argentina (-4.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Peru (+39 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Chile saw its share reduced by -2.1%, -3.9%, -5.3% and -17.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Peru ($X), Chile ($X) and Brazil ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 88% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Peru, with a CAGR of +17.0%, saw 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 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 6.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 42%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

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 ($X per ton), while Peru ($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 (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform