MERCOSUR: Mercury Market 2024

Mercury Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR mercury market rose sharply to $X in 2021, surging by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a perceptible shrinkage. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Mercury Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, mercury production expanded modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a mild decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 275% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Mercury Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the amount of mercuries exported in MERCOSUR declined significantly to X tons, waning by -34.6% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 148%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, mercury exports fell significantly to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 272%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Peru was the main exporter of mercuries in MERCOSUR, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 85% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), mixing up a 15% share of total exports.

Peru was also the fastest-growing in terms of the mercuries exports, with a CAGR of -5.6% from 2012 to 2021. Argentina (-8.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Peru (+61 p.p.) and Argentina (+9.5 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Peru ($X) remains the largest mercury supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($X), with a 12% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Peru stood at -5.0%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -19.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 286%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Peru ($X per ton), while Argentina amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+0.6%).

Mercury Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the amount of mercuries imported in MERCOSUR expanded notably to X tons, picking up by 8.8% on the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, showed a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 27%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, mercury imports rose sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 27%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Colombia (X tons) was the key importer of mercuries, generating 72% of total imports. Argentina (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Guyana (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 20% share of total imports. The following importers - Peru (X tons) and Uruguay (X tons) - together made up 7.1% of total imports.

Imports into Colombia increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Argentina (+10.6%) and Uruguay (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +10.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Guyana (-17.3%) and Peru (-27.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay increased by +42, +8.9 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Colombia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported mercuries in MERCOSUR, comprising 82% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($X), with a 5.9% share of total imports. It was followed by Uruguay, with a 4.6% share.

In Colombia, mercury imports decreased by an average annual rate of -1.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Argentina (+11.6% per year) and Uruguay (+6.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 2% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, 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 Uruguay ($X per ton), while Guyana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uruguay (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform