MERCOSUR: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the MERCOSUR market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in MERCOSUR

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 28%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports in MERCOSUR

After eight years of decline, shipments abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 32% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a deep downturn. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports rose sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Brazil prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 91% of total exports in 2021. Argentina (X tons), Venezuela (X tons) and Peru (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Brazil decreased at an average annual rate of -2.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Venezuela (+40.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Venezuela emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +40.4% from 2012-2021. Argentina experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Peru (-16.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+26 p.p.) and Venezuela (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Peru saw its share reduced by -2.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($X), with a 5.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Peru, with a 2.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Brazil stood at -6.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Argentina (-6.2% per year) and Peru (-18.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -17.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 27%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 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 Argentina ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (-2.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports in MERCOSUR skyrocketed to X tons, picking up by 37% on 2020 figures. Overall, imports, however, showed a abrupt slump. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced slump. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Brazil was the largest importer of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 39% of total imports in 2021. Chile (X tons) held a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Argentina (12%), Peru (8.8%), Venezuela (7.6%), Colombia (6.9%) and Ecuador (5.8%).

Imports into Brazil decreased at an average annual rate of -2.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Ecuador (+5.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ecuador emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +5.1% from 2012-2021. Peru experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Argentina (-4.9%), Chile (-5.1%), Colombia (-7.8%) and Venezuela (-19.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+11 p.p.), Peru (+3.7 p.p.) and Ecuador (+3.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Venezuela saw its share reduced by -24.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported refractory bricks, blocks and tiles in MERCOSUR, comprising 43% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 12% share.

In Brazil, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Chile (-5.4% per year) and Argentina (-6.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, 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 Colombia ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform