MERCOSUR: Sodium Carbonate Market 2024

Sodium Carbonate Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR sodium carbonate market skyrocketed to $X in 2022, rising by 50% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Sodium Carbonate Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, sodium carbonate production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 8.9%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Sodium Carbonate Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, shipments abroad of sodium carbonate increased by 38% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 72% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sodium carbonate exports soared to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X tons) and Peru (X tons) represented the main exporters of sodium carbonate in MERCOSUR, together amounting to approx. 66% of total exports. Chile (X tons) took an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Brazil (13%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Chile (with a CAGR of +21.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Peru ($X), Brazil ($X) and Argentina ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 79% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Brazil, with a CAGR of +23.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, 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 2022, rising by 26% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+7.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sodium Carbonate Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, supplies from abroad of sodium carbonate increased by 47% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +69.5% against 2020 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sodium carbonate imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports posted resilient growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) represented the largest importer of sodium carbonate, comprising 62% of total imports. Chile (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 18% share, followed by Argentina (11%) and Colombia (5.6%). Peru (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Brazil increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Argentina (+9.6%), Chile (+7.5%) and Colombia (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +9.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Peru (-1.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+9.9 p.p.), Argentina (+2.9 p.p.) and Chile (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Peru and Colombia saw its share reduced by -2.4% and -2.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sodium carbonate in MERCOSUR, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Brazil amounted to +10.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Chile (+9.9% per year) and Argentina (+10.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 25% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform