Uruguay: Caustic Soda Market 2024

Caustic Soda Market Size in Uruguay

For the fourth year in a row, the Uruguayan caustic soda market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 20% to $X in 2021. In general, the total consumption indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +75.8% against 2012 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Caustic Soda Production in Uruguay

In value terms, caustic soda production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +114.3% against 2012 indices. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports from Uruguay

In 2021, approx. X tons of caustic soda were exported from Uruguay; waning by -29.5% against the previous year. In general, exports continue to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 60%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, caustic soda exports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 43%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons) was the main destination for caustic soda exports from Uruguay, accounting for a 66% share of total exports. Moreover, caustic soda exports to Brazil exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Free Zones (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Argentina (X tons), with a 5.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Brazil totaled -18.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Free Zones (+5.1% per year) and Argentina (-22.5% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for caustic soda exported from Uruguay were Brazil ($X), Free Zones ($X) and Argentina ($X), with a combined 98% share of total exports.

Free Zones, with a CAGR of +9.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average caustic soda export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 58% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a resilient expansion. 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 for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Free Zones ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Brazil (+9.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports into Uruguay

Caustic soda imports into Uruguay declined to X tons in 2021, shrinking by -9.8% on the year before. Overall, imports recorded a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 19%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, caustic soda imports declined sharply to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 48% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of caustic soda to Uruguay, with a 50% share of total imports. Moreover, caustic soda imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Argentina (X tons), threefold. Turkey (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States stood at -7.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (-2.9% per year) and Turkey (-8.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest caustic soda suppliers to Uruguay were the United States ($X), Argentina ($X) and France ($X), together accounting for 72% of total imports.

France, with a CAGR of +18.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average caustic soda import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -9.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 25% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+21.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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