MERCOSUR: Lime Market 2024

Lime Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the MERCOSUR lime market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, showed a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the market value increased by 4.9%. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lime Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, lime production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, faced a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, exports of lime in MERCOSUR rose modestly to X tons, increasing by 3.6% on the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 8.8%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports dropped slightly to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -22.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 15%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Argentina represented the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which resulted at 56% of total exports. Uruguay (X tons) held a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Colombia (14%), Brazil (5.8%) and Peru (5.3%).

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lime exports from Argentina stood at -3.4%. At the same time, Peru (+26.3%), Brazil (+22.9%), Colombia (+22.7%) and Uruguay (+21.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +26.3% from 2012-2021. Uruguay (+15 p.p.), Colombia (+11 p.p.), Brazil (+4.8 p.p.) and Peru (+4.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Argentina saw its share reduced by -34.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the largest lime supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Argentina ($X), Uruguay ($X) and Colombia ($X), together accounting for 89% of total exports. Peru and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Peru, with a CAGR of +29.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, waning by -6.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 11% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: 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 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Lime Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, purchases abroad of lime decreased by -1.6% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after seven years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 13% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime imports fell to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% 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 -31.2% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 27% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Chile was the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which accounted for 74% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), comprising a 16% share of total imports. Ecuador (X tons), Paraguay (X tons) and Uruguay (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Chile experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of lime. At the same time, Paraguay (+19.4%), Brazil (+18.9%), Ecuador (+11.4%) and Uruguay (+8.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Paraguay emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +19.4% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Brazil, Paraguay and Ecuador increased by +12, +2.5 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Chile ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lime in MERCOSUR, comprising 73% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Ecuador, with a 4.2% share.

In Chile, lime imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+16.8% per year) and Ecuador (+4.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -5.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the import price increased by 23%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, 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 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+0.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform