Uruguay: Market for Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2024

Market Size for Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Uruguay

In 2021, the Uruguayan market for non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced slump. Non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports from Uruguay

In 2021, overseas shipments of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) decreased by -8.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 187% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a mild setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 189%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Argentina (X tons) was the main destination for non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports from Uruguay, with a 59% share of total exports. Moreover, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports to Argentina exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Paraguay (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Brazil (X tons), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Argentina stood at -2.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Paraguay (-5.7% per year) and Brazil (+54.8% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($X) remains the key foreign market for non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) exports from Uruguay, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Paraguay, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Argentina stood at -1.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (+43.3% per year) and Paraguay (-10.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 37% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Paraguay ($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 Venezuela (+13.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports into Uruguay

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap), when their volume increased by 28% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible decline. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a perceptible slump. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) supplier to Uruguay, accounting for a 33% share of total imports. Moreover, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Russia (X tons), twofold. India (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States stood at -5.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+1.4% per year) and India (+32.1% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X), Argentina ($X) and Germany ($X) constituted the largest non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) suppliers to Uruguay, together accounting for 59% of total imports. Russia, Brazil, India, Belgium, Mexico, China, the Netherlands, Sweden and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +71.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average import price for non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while the price for South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+12.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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