MERCOSUR: Market for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) 2025

Market Size for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the MERCOSUR market for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) increased by 2% to $X, rising for the fourth year in a row after five years of decline. In general, consumption recorded a noticeable descent. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in MERCOSUR

In value terms, production of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 40%. Over the period under review, production of reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, shipments abroad of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) was finally on the rise to reach X tons after three years of decline. Total exports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, exports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) surged to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of export peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Peru represented the largest exporter of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) in MERCOSUR, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 62% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), mixing up a 34% share of total exports. The following exporters - Chile (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) - each reached a 3.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +12.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Peru ($X), Argentina ($X) and Brazil ($X), together accounting for 96% of total exports.

Peru, with a CAGR of +16.3%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -13.1% against the previous year. Export price indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, export price for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) decreased by -20.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 56% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+14.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, supplies from abroad of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports of reached the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) rose sharply to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports of failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons) represented the key importer of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), creating 57% of total imports. Chile (X tons) took a 27% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Uruguay (5.3%). Argentina (X tons), Colombia (X tons), Paraguay (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) imports into Brazil stood at +3.2%. At the same time, Paraguay (+14.0%), Ecuador (+9.2%) and Uruguay (+4.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Paraguay emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +14.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Chile (-4.0%), Argentina (-4.3%) and Colombia (-8.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+15 p.p.), Uruguay (+1.8 p.p.) and Paraguay (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Colombia and Chile saw its share reduced by -3.1% and -11.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) in MERCOSUR, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Brazil stood at +3.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Chile (-1.6% per year) and Argentina (-3.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, waning by -7.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 12%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform