MERCOSUR: Polystyrene Market 2024

Polystyrene Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR polystyrene market shrank slightly to $X in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Polystyrene Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, polystyrene production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 16%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Polystyrene Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of polystyrene, when their volume decreased by -6.7% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 37% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, polystyrene exports contracted slightly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 103%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Brazil was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which reached 65% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Colombia (X tons), mixing up a 29% share of total exports. Chile (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the polystyrene exports, with a CAGR of +31.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Colombia (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Chile (-5.5%) and Argentina (-8.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+54 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Argentina (-12.2 p.p.), Chile (-13.3 p.p.) and Colombia (-26.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest polystyrene supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 71% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with a 23% share of total exports. It was followed by Chile, with a 3.8% share.

In Brazil, polystyrene exports expanded at an average annual rate of +32.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (+1.4% per year) and Chile (-5.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 4.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 70%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Polystyrene Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the amount of polystyrene imported in MERCOSUR declined slightly to X tons, with a decrease of -2.5% on 2021 figures. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, polystyrene imports reached $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the six major importers of polystyrene, namely Brazil, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Uruguay (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Colombia (with a CAGR of +2.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Chile ($X) and Peru ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 63% share of total imports. Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

Among the main importing countries, Uruguay, with a CAGR of +3.3%, saw the highest growth rate of 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, rising by 6.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 42%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 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 ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uruguay (+1.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform