MERCOSUR: Lead Market 2024

Lead Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR lead market dropped to $X in 2022, waning by -7.5% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a mild downturn. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lead Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, lead production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 44%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Lead Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, overseas shipments of lead increased by 1.7% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 58%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lead exports amounted to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a slight increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 92%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ecuador represented the major exporter of lead in MERCOSUR, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was approx. 44% of total exports in 2022. Chile (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Peru (X tons), Brazil (X tons), Paraguay (X tons) and Colombia (X tons). All these countries together took near 52% share of total exports. Argentina (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Ecuador increased at an average annual rate of +13.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Paraguay (+30.4%), Brazil (+18.3%), Peru (+4.6%) and Chile (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Paraguay emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +30.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Colombia (-1.5%) and Argentina (-26.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Ecuador (+31 p.p.), Brazil (+8.8 p.p.), Paraguay (+5.8 p.p.) and Peru (+3.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Argentina (-40.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ecuador ($X) remains the largest lead supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Chile ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Peru, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Ecuador amounted to +13.8%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Chile (+2.8% per year) and Peru (+6.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 21% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Brazil ($X per ton) and Paraguay ($X per ton), while Colombia ($X per ton) and Ecuador ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (+12.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lead Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of lead decreased by -16.2% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lead imports shrank to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 72%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) was the major importer of lead, achieving 75% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Colombia (X tons), creating an 18% share of total imports. Peru (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to lead imports into Brazil stood at -1.1%. At the same time, Argentina (+19.8%) and Colombia (+6.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +19.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Peru (-7.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Colombia (+9.5 p.p.) and Brazil (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Peru (-4.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lead in MERCOSUR, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Colombia ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Peru, with a 3.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Brazil was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (+7.0% per year) and Peru (-9.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Argentina ($X per ton) and Brazil ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) and Colombia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform