Feldspar market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The feldspar market in Central America expanded significantly in volume from 230 thousand tons in 2018 to 396.4 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was accompanied by a steady rise in production, which increased from 240 thousand tons to 417.6 thousand tons over the same period. The market's value more than doubled, from 17.6 million US dollars to 44.1 million US dollars, reflecting both higher volumes and increased unit values.

Trade flows saw considerable variation, with exports peaking at 31.3 thousand tons in 2020 before moderating. By 2024, imports surged to 21.5 thousand tons, a level not seen in prior years, while exports fell to 12.3 thousand tons. This shift in trade dynamics coincides with the implementation phase of the DR-CAFTA trade agreement, which from January 2025 reduces tariffs on various goods and can influence cross-border flows of industrial minerals like feldspar.

Production feldspar in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of feldspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of feldspar, 2017-2020

Central America's feldspar production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 343.7 thousand tons of feldspar, marking a 3.3% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 31.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 240.0 thousand tons, when output fell by 8.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production jumping by 38.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Central America's feldspar production value has also increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 29 732 thousand US dollars, up by 23.5% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, the production value grew by 46.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 13.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 18 058 thousand US dollars, when it declined by 11.0%. The biggest rise occurred in 2019, with a 33.3% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports feldspar from Central America

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. In 2019, feldspar exports from Central America hit their lowest point at 16 542 tons, declining by 3.9% that year. By 2020, exports surged to 31 293 tons, representing a sharp 89.2% year-over-year increase and reaching the maximum level. This created a 1.9-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Central America's feldspar exports in volume terms were Peru, accounting for 23.0% of exports, the United States with 18.4%, and Ecuador at 14.7%. Together, these three countries made up 56.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. In 2019, feldspar export value from Central America dropped to its lowest point at 1 197 thousand US dollars, falling by 7.6% that year. By 2020, exports rebounded strongly to 2 707 thousand US dollars, a 126.2% increase from the previous year and reaching the maximum. This resulted in a 2.3-fold gap between the high in 2020 and the low in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary buyers of feldspar from Central America in value terms were the United States, representing 25.9% of exports, Peru at 10.8%, and Ecuador with 6.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 43.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020

Imports feldspar to Central America

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Central America imported approximately 5 216 tons of feldspar, a reduction of 47.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 48.5%, which equates to an annualized decline of 19.8%. The largest increase in imports was recorded in 2019, rising by 37.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for feldspar imports to Central America in volume terms were Spain, contributing 16.4% of imports, the United States with 16.3%, and India at 5.3%. Together, these three countries formed 38.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Central America imported 668 thousand US dollars worth of feldspar in 2020, showing a sudden decrease of 35.9% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 46.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 17.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the main supplier of feldspar to Central America in value terms, accounting for 19.3% of imports, followed by Spain at 15.4%, and India with 5.5%. These three countries jointly formed 40.2% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020