MERCOSUR: Natural Polymers Market 2025

Natural Polymers Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the MERCOSUR natural polymers market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a mild downturn. 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.

Natural Polymers Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, natural polymers production expanded sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 38% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Natural Polymers Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, exports of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms in MERCOSUR soared to X tons, increasing by 125% on the previous year. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural polymers exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Argentina (X tons) and Chile (X tons) dominates exports structure, together generating 84% of total exports. Brazil (X tons) took a 6.1% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Colombia (4.7%). Peru (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Peru (with a CAGR of +8.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Argentina ($X), Chile ($X) and Brazil ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 96% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Peru and Colombia, which together accounted for a further 3.6%.

Peru, with a CAGR of +14.9%, saw 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

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -18.5% 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 was the most pronounced in 2013 when the export price increased by 48%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Brazil ($X per ton), while Colombia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+9.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Natural Polymers Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, purchases abroad of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, natural polymers imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Brazil was the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which accounted for 43% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Chile (X tons), Colombia (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Peru (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons), together committing a 54% share of total imports. Venezuela (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

Imports into Brazil increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Peru (+10.0%), Chile (+9.3%), Ecuador (+4.1%) and Argentina (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +10.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Colombia (-1.0%) and Venezuela (-11.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Chile (+6.1 p.p.), Brazil (+5.8 p.p.) and Peru (+3.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Venezuela and Colombia saw its share reduced by -6.7% and -7.4% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms in MERCOSUR, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Chile, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil was relatively modest. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (-0.2% per year) and Chile (+5.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 4.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible reduction. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

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

Source: IndexBox Platform