MERCOSUR: Plastic Container Market 2024

Plastic Container Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR plastic container market totaled $X in 2021, almost unchanged from the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 9%. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plastic Container Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, plastic container production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 9%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plastic Container Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of plastic containers increased by 9.2% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 16% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic container exports expanded notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a pronounced descent. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) were the largest exporters of plastic containers in 2021, amounting to near 28% and 26% of total exports, respectively. Uruguay (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Peru (X tons), Chile (X tons) and Colombia (X tons). All these countries together took near 40% share of total exports. Paraguay (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Paraguay (with a CAGR of +32.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Argentina ($X) and Uruguay ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 69% of total exports. These countries were followed by Chile, Peru, Colombia and Paraguay, which together accounted for a further 28%.

Paraguay, with a CAGR of +28.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 3.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a pronounced contraction. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($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 (+1.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Plastic Container Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, supplies from abroad of plastic containers increased by 43% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after three years of decline. Total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +113.8% against 2016 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic container imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Chile (X tons) was the key importer of plastic containers, constituting 39% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), Colombia (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Uruguay (X tons) and Peru (X tons), together mixing up a 51% share of total imports. Ecuador (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Chile was also the fastest-growing in terms of the plastic containers imports, with a CAGR of +18.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Peru (+8.3%), Argentina (+4.2%), Uruguay (+4.0%), Colombia (+3.5%) and Brazil (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Ecuador experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Chile increased by +24 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Chile ($X) and Argentina ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 63% of total imports. These countries were followed by Colombia, Peru, Uruguay and Ecuador, which together accounted for a further 29%.

Peru, with a CAGR of +8.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 6.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Chile ($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 (+1.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform