Latin America and the Caribbean: Quicklime Market 2023

Quicklime Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the Latin American quicklime market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, saw a mild descent. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Quicklime Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, quicklime production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 22% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Quicklime Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Quicklime exports was estimated at X tons in 2021, rising by 3.7% against 2020 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 8.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, quicklime exports contracted modestly to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -22.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 20%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Argentina (X tons) was the key exporter of quicklime, comprising 54% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Uruguay (X tons), Colombia (X tons) and Peru (X tons), together mixing up a 41% share of total exports. Brazil (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Argentina decreased at an average annual rate of -3.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Colombia (+35.8%), Peru (+28.8%), Uruguay (+24.4%) and Brazil (+20.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Colombia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +35.8% from 2012-2021. Uruguay (+16 p.p.), Colombia (+15 p.p.) and Peru (+4.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Argentina saw its share reduced by -31.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Argentina ($X), Colombia ($X) and Uruguay ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 87% share of total exports.

Colombia, with a CAGR of +34.9%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -5.5% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 9.8%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Colombia ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uruguay (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Quicklime Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, overseas purchases of quicklime decreased by -4.6% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 9.4% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, quicklime imports dropped to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 13%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Chile (X tons) was the key importer of quicklime, constituting 61% of total imports. Brazil (X tons) held a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Ecuador (9%) and Panama (7.7%). Jamaica (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Chile decreased at an average annual rate of -1.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Panama (+214.2%), Ecuador (+98.0%), Brazil (+22.5%) and Jamaica (+9.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Panama emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +214.2% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Brazil, Ecuador and Panama increased by +13, +9 and +7.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Chile ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported quicklime in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Panama, with a 7.8% share.

In Chile, quicklime imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+22.7% per year) and Panama (+186.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -2.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the import price increased by 8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Jamaica ($X per ton), while Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+0.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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