MERCOSUR: Market for Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths 2024

Market Size for Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR market for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths was estimated at $X in 2021, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths in MERCOSUR

In value terms, production of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths fell modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 79%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production of growth failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, shipments abroad of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 125%. Over the period under review, the exports of attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons) prevails in earths structure, together creating 79% of total exports. Argentina (X tons) took an 8.8% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Peru (7.2%). The following exporters - Chile (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) - each recorded a 3.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Chile (with a CAGR of +15.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Brazil ($X), Venezuela ($X) and Argentina ($X), together accounting for 95% of total exports. These countries were followed by Peru, Chile and Colombia, which together accounted for a further 4.1%.

Chile, with a CAGR of +3.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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, with a decrease of -15.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 377%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

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 Brazil ($X per ton), while Colombia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+13.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, overseas purchases of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a drastic downturn. Over the period under review, imports of hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a deep setback. Over the period under review, imports of hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons) represented the main importer of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths, mixing up 54% of total imports. Peru (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Paraguay (7.2%), Ecuador (7%), Colombia (5.9%) and Argentina (5%). Chile (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Brazil increased at an average annual rate of +17.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Paraguay (+30.9%), Peru (+24.5%), Chile (+17.2%), Ecuador (+12.4%) and Colombia (+6.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Paraguay emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +30.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Argentina (-23.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+50 p.p.), Peru (+12 p.p.), Paraguay (+7 p.p.), Ecuador (+6.1 p.p.), Colombia (+4.7 p.p.) and Chile (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Argentina (-15.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths in MERCOSUR, comprising 47% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with an 8.4% share.

In Brazil, imports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths increased at an average annual rate of +13.0% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (+10.5% per year) and Argentina (-22.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -3.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the import price increased by 18%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Paraguay (+13.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform