Latin America and the Caribbean: Clays Market Overview 2020

Clays Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2019, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the Latin American clays market, when its value decreased by -X% to $X. In general, consumption, however, showed noticeable growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2018, and then fell in the following year.

Clays Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, clays production surged to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. In general, production faced a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when the production volume increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country in Latin America and the Caribbean

Brazil (X tonnes) remains the largest clays producing country in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for X% of total volume.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Brazil totaled +X%.

Clays Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2019, shipments abroad of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) decreased by -X% to X tonnes, falling for the fifth year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports saw a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs at X tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, exports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, clays exports stood at $X in 2019. Over the period under review, exports saw a noticeable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2019, the growth exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Brazil dominates clays exports structure, accounting for X tonnes, which was near X% of total exports in 2019. It was distantly followed by Mexico (X tonnes), Peru (X tonnes), Colombia (X tonnes) and Argentina (X tonnes), together comprising a X% share of total exports.

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) exports, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007 to 2019. Argentina experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Colombia (-X%), Peru (-X%) and Mexico (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2019, the share of Brazil increased by +X% percentage points, while Colombia (-X p.p.), Peru (-X p.p.) and Mexico (-X p.p.) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest clays supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Brazil ($X), Peru ($X) and Colombia ($X), together comprising X% of total exports.

Brazil recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The clays export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per tonne in 2019, increasing by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2009 when the export price increased by X% y-o-y. As a result, export price reached the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2010 to 2019, the growth in terms of the export prices failed to regain the momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Peru ($X per tonne), while Mexico ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Clays Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2019, purchases abroad of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) decreased by -X% to X tonnes, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a perceptible expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tonnes in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, imports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, clays imports contracted to $X in 2019. Total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2018, and then declined in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Mexico (X tonnes) was the main importer of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay), mixing up X% of total imports. Ecuador (X tonnes) took a X% share (based on tonnes) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Colombia (X%). The following importers - Guatemala (X tonnes), the Dominican Republic (X tonnes) and Honduras (X tonnes) - together made up X% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2019, average annual rates of growth with regard to clays imports into Mexico stood at +X%. At the same time, Ecuador (+X%), Honduras (+X%), Colombia (+X%) and the Dominican Republic (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ecuador emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2019. By contrast, Guatemala (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2019, the share of Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia and Honduras increased by +X%, +X%, +X% and +X% percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Colombia ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Ecuador, with a X% share.

In Mexico, clays imports expanded at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2019. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (+X% per year) and Ecuador (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The clays import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per tonne in 2019, surging by X% against the previous year. Import price indicated a mild expansion from 2007 to 2019: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, clays import price increased by +X% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when the import price increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2011 to 2019, the growth in terms of the import prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Colombia ($X per tonne), while Ecuador ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guatemala, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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Mexico (94K tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of clays consumption, accounting for 61% of total volume. Moreover, clays consumption in Mexico exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Ecuador (20K tonnes), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Colombia (15K tonnes), with a 9.8% share.

What are the largest producers of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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Brazil (7K tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of clays production, comprising approx. 98% of total volume.

What are the leading suppliers of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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In value terms, the largest clays supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Brazil ($1.6M), Peru ($1.3M) and Colombia ($610K), with a combined 89% share of total exports.

What are the leading importers of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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In value terms, Mexico ($21M) constitutes the largest market for imported clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Colombia ($6.6M), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Ecuador, with a 7.5% share.

What is the average export price for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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The clays export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $713 per tonne in 2019, surging by 5.5% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in LatAmerica and the Caribbean?

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The clays import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $267 per tonne in 2019, picking up by 22% against the previous year.