MERCOSUR: Hydraulic Lime Market 2024

Hydraulic Lime Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR hydraulic lime market fell modestly to $X in 2022, which is down by -4.4% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 9.3%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Hydraulic Lime Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, hydraulic lime production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Hydraulic Lime Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, hydraulic lime exports in MERCOSUR skyrocketed to X tons, growing by 48% against the year before. In general, exports recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 567% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, hydraulic lime exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 1,320%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Brazil was the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 73% of total exports. Argentina (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Colombia (X tons). All these countries together held near 27% share of total exports.

Exports from Brazil increased at an average annual rate of +24.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Argentina (+26.4%) and Colombia (+12.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +26.4% from 2012-2022. Colombia (+8.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Brazil saw its share reduced by -9.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest hydraulic lime supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Brazil ($X), Argentina ($X) and Colombia ($X).

Among the main exporting countries, Argentina, with a CAGR of +24.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -21.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 964%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat 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 Colombia ($X per ton), while Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (-1.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Hydraulic Lime Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the amount of hydraulic lime imported in MERCOSUR reached X tons, picking up by 7.1% against 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 185% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, hydraulic lime imports reduced markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 179%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Paraguay (X tons) represented the main importer of hydraulic lime, comprising 64% of total imports. Guyana (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Uruguay (9.6%) and Suriname (9.5%). Ecuador (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Paraguay experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of hydraulic lime. At the same time, Guyana (+48.9%), Uruguay (+31.2%) and Suriname (+15.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guyana emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +48.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Ecuador (-10.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Guyana (+13 p.p.), Uruguay (+9 p.p.) and Suriname (+7.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Ecuador and Paraguay saw its share reduced by -3.6% and -4.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest hydraulic lime importing markets in MERCOSUR were Suriname ($X), Paraguay ($X) and Guyana ($X), with a combined 77% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Guyana, with a CAGR of +34.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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, reducing by -22% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 73%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ecuador (+9.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform