Mexico: Lime Market Overview 2021

Lime Market Size in Mexico

In 2020, the Mexican lime market increased by X% to $X, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2020; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2020, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lime Production in Mexico

In value terms, lime production reached $X in 2020 estimated in export prices. Overall, production saw a modest expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Lime production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2020, production failed to regain the momentum.

Lime Exports

Exports from Mexico

In 2020, overseas shipments of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime decreased by -X% to X tonnes, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Overall, exports showed a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Exports peaked at X tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, exports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, lime exports shrank sharply to $X in 2020. In general, exports showed a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs at $X in 2019, and then declined sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

The U.S. (X tonnes) was the main destination for lime exports from Mexico, with a approx. X% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the U.S. totaled -X%.

In value terms, the U.S. ($X) also remains the key foreign market for lime exports from Mexico.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the U.S. stood at -X%.

Export Prices by Country

The average lime export price stood at $X per tonne in 2020, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a temperate expansion from 2007 to 2020: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, lime export price increased by +X% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average export prices hit record highs at $X per tonne in 2019, and then dropped in the following year.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for the U.S..

From 2007 to 2020, the rate of growth in terms of prices for the U.S. amounted to +X% per year.

Lime Imports

Imports into Mexico

In 2020, purchases abroad of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime increased by X% to X tonnes, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2009 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2020, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime imports expanded sharply to $X in 2020. Overall, total imports indicated strong growth from 2007 to 2020: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, imports increased by +X% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2009 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2020 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2020, the U.S. (X tonnes) constituted the largest lime supplier to Mexico, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, lime imports from the U.S. exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Switzerland (X tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Germany (X tonnes), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the U.S. totaled -X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Switzerland (+X% per year) and Germany (+X% per year).

In value terms, the largest lime suppliers to Mexico were the U.S. ($X), China ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, China (+X% per year) saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2020, the average lime import price amounted to $X per tonne, increasing by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price posted a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average import price increased by X% year-to-year. The import price peaked in 2020 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was China ($X per tonne), while the price for Switzerland ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in the world?

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The country with the largest volume of lime consumption was China (43M tonnes), accounting for 26% of total volume. Moreover, lime consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the U.S. (16M tonnes), threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Japan (14M tonnes), with a 8.2% share.

What are the largest producers of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in the world?

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China (44M tonnes) remains the largest lime producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 26% of total volume. Moreover, lime production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the U.S. (16M tonnes), threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Japan (14M tonnes), with a 8.2% share.

What are the leading suppliers of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to Mexico?

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In value terms, the U.S. ($536K), China ($354K) and Germany ($164K) were the largest lime suppliers to Mexico, together comprising 72% of total imports.

What are the leading importers of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime from Mexico?

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In value terms, the U.S. ($1.2M) remains the key foreign market for lime exports from Mexico.

What is the average export price for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Mexico?

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In 2020, the average lime export price amounted to $215 per tonne, stabilizing at the previous year.

What is the average import price for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Mexico?

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The average lime import price stood at $237 per tonne in 2020, picking up by 7.3% against the previous year.