MERCOSUR: Plastic Box Market 2024

Plastic Box Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR plastic box market reduced to $X in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Box Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, plastic box production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 9.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Plastic Box Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, approx. X tons of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles were exported in MERCOSUR; waning by -3.9% compared with the previous year. In general, exports showed a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 17%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic box exports reduced to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 19%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Peru (X tons), distantly followed by Chile (X tons), Colombia (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) were the largest exporters of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles, together mixing up 91% of total exports. The following exporters - Argentina (X tons) and Uruguay (X tons) - each reached a 6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Colombia (with a CAGR of +11.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Peru ($X), Chile ($X) and Brazil ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 72% share of total exports. Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Among the main exporting countries, Colombia, with a CAGR of +8.0%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, surging by 2.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 6.1% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Plastic Box Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

Plastic box imports dropped to X tons in 2022, which is down by -9.9% on the previous year. In general, imports showed a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 44%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic box imports fell modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Chile represented the key importer of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 36% of total imports in 2022. Colombia (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Peru (13%), Brazil (12%), Uruguay (5.7%), Ecuador (5.5%) and Argentina (5%).

Imports into Chile increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Uruguay (+8.3%) and Colombia (+6.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uruguay emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +8.3% from 2012-2022. Peru experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Ecuador (-3.9%), Brazil (-5.7%) and Argentina (-11.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Chile, Colombia and Uruguay increased by +21, +8 and +3.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Chile ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles in MERCOSUR, comprising 35% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Peru, with an 11% share.

In Chile, plastic box imports expanded at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (-3.7% per year) and Peru (+4.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, rising by 6.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+5.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform