MERCOSUR: Optical Fiber Cables Market 2025

Optical Fiber Cables Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was decline in the MERCOSUR optical fiber cables market, when its value decreased by -0.3% to $X. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Optical Fiber Cables Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, optical fiber cables production fell notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a sharp decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 12%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Optical Fiber Cables Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, overseas shipments of optical fiber cables increased by 10% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports posted a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 85%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, optical fiber cables exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 95% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Brazil dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 90% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Chile (X tons), Colombia (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) - together made up 7.6% of total exports.

Exports from Brazil increased at an average annual rate of +10.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Ecuador (+57.5%), Colombia (+28.8%) and Chile (+7.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ecuador emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +57.5% from 2012-2022. While the share of Colombia (+2 p.p.) and Ecuador (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Brazil (-3.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest optical fiber cables supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Chile ($X), with a 4.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Colombia, with a 2.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil amounted to +10.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Chile (+1.7% per year) and Colombia (+25.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 8.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the export price increased by 13%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (-0.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Optical Fiber Cables Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, purchases abroad of optical fiber cables increased by 3.8% to X tons, rising for the eighth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 75% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, optical fiber cables imports dropped modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports posted a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 60%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Imports by Country

Brazil represented the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which finished at 50% of total imports. Chile (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Argentina (X tons), Colombia (X tons), Peru (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons). All these countries together held near 44% share of total imports. Paraguay (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the optical fiber cables imports, with a CAGR of +32.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Argentina (+26.1%), Chile (+11.0%), Ecuador (+9.0%), Paraguay (+8.5%), Peru (+6.2%) and Colombia (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Brazil (+37 p.p.) and Argentina (+6.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Paraguay, Ecuador, Chile, Peru and Colombia saw its share reduced by -2%, -3.9%, -5.9%, -9.4% and -15.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest optical fiber cables importing markets in MERCOSUR were Brazil ($X), Argentina ($X) and Chile ($X), together comprising 69% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Argentina, with a CAGR of +19.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -4.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 19%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform