MERCOSUR: Hydrogen Chloride Market 2024

Hydrogen Chloride Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the MERCOSUR hydrogen chloride market decreased by -0.1% to $X, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Hydrogen Chloride Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, hydrogen chloride production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 8.7% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Hydrogen Chloride Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, hydrogen chloride exports in MERCOSUR surged to X tons, rising by 19% compared with 2020 figures. In general, exports saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 73% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hydrogen chloride exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Uruguay (X tons), Peru (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) represented the largest exporter of hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) in MERCOSUR, generating 93% of total export. It was distantly followed by Chile (X tons), mixing up a 6.2% 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 Uruguay (with a CAGR of +13.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest hydrogen chloride supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Peru ($X), Colombia ($X) and Uruguay ($X), together comprising 86% of total exports.

Colombia, with a CAGR of +4.1%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible slump. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (-0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Hydrogen Chloride Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

Hydrogen chloride imports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, increasing by 32% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports saw buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 192% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hydrogen chloride imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -26.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Brazil was the major importer of hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 61% of total imports in 2021. Ecuador (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Venezuela (X tons) and Chile (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 34% share of total imports.

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) imports, with a CAGR of +30.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Venezuela (+29.4%) and Ecuador (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Chile (-3.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+49 p.p.) and Venezuela (+9.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Ecuador and Chile saw its share reduced by -13.9% and -14.3% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Chile ($X) and Ecuador ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 71% share of total imports. Venezuela lagged somewhat behind, accounting for a further 12%.

Venezuela, with a CAGR of +20.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -11.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the import price increased by 78% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the 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 Chile ($X per ton), while Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+3.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform