Uruguay: Market for Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene) 2025

Market Size for Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene) in Uruguay

In 2021, the Uruguayan polystyrene in primary forms market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene)

Exports from Uruguay

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene), when their volume decreased by -25.9% to X tons. In general, exports, however, posted a pronounced expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 157% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, polystyrene in primary forms exports fell slightly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 283%. The exports peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Malaysia (X tons) was the main destination for polystyrene in primary forms exports from Uruguay, with a 54% share of total exports. Moreover, polystyrene in primary forms exports to Malaysia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Brazil (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (X tons), with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Malaysia stood at +23.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (+36.2% per year) and India (+18.5% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) exports from Uruguay, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Malaysia ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by India, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Brazil totaled +33.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+10.1% per year) and India (+22.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average polystyrene in primary forms export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 31% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a temperate expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 95%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Malaysia ($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 India (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene)

Imports into Uruguay

Polystyrene in primary forms imports into Uruguay rose remarkably to X tons in 2021, picking up by 7.3% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 26%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, polystyrene in primary forms imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Argentina (X tons) constituted the largest polystyrene in primary forms supplier to Uruguay, accounting for a 53% share of total imports. Moreover, polystyrene in primary forms imports from Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Colombia (X tons), twofold. Brazil (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 20% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Argentina totaled +2.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Colombia (+22.8% per year) and Brazil (-0.4% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constituted the largest supplier of polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) to Uruguay, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Colombia, with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Argentina totaled +3.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+0.1% per year) and Colombia (+19.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average polystyrene in primary forms import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 62% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

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