Feldspar market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The feldspar market in Latin America and the Caribbean expanded from 1 147 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 292 thousand tons in 2019, supported by active production in key countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, largely serving the ceramic and glass industries. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when market volume fell to 1 033 thousand tons due to COVID-19 restrictions that affected production and consumption across the region.

Recovery began in 2021, with market volume reaching 1 151 thousand tons as producers adopted more efficient technologies to meet rising demand from the ceramic and glass sectors. The upward trend accelerated in 2022, with volume jumping to 1 449 thousand tons; although the Russia-Ukraine war introduced supply-chain constraints, strong underlying demand for energy-efficient materials continued to drive the market.

In the following years, the market remained influenced by sustained demand for ceramic and glass products, particularly those emphasizing energy efficiency. Moderate regional economic growth, projected at 2.2% for 2024, further supported consumption, while international trade in countries like Mexico showed concentration in specific federal entities such as Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.

Production feldspar in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of feldspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of feldspar, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, feldspar production in Latin America and the Caribbean experienced a decline. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 263 K t, representing a 12.4% increase. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 1 030 K t, marking an 18.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports feldspar from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. In 2019, export volumes hit their lowest point at 13 885 t, reflecting a substantial 32.8% decline. The following year, in 2020, exports surged to 32 352 t, representing a dramatic 133.0% increase compared to 2019. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 2.3 times.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Italy, and China remained the leading buyers of feldspar from Latin America and the Caribbean. The United States accounted for 13.0% of exports in kind, Italy for 3.1%, and China for 2.7%. Together, these three countries represented 18.9% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Feldspar exports from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 6 606 K $ US, showing a 47.7% year-over-year advance. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 100.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 26.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, feldspar exports in value terms from Latin America and the Caribbean were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Italy led with 27.8% of exports in value terms, followed by China at 11.4%, and the United States at 9.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 48.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports feldspar to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Feldspar imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports peaked at 43 874 t, reflecting a 13.5% increase. By 2020, imports had dropped to 34 975 t, indicating a significant 16.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017-2020 period, Spain, the United States, and Turkey played notable roles as suppliers of feldspar to Latin America and the Caribbean. Spain accounted for 18.3% of imports in kind, the United States for 5.1%, and Turkey for 4.3%. Their combined share reached 27.6% of total imports in kind, indicating a diversified supply base.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of gains, foreign feldspar supplies to Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2019, imports reached their maximum value of 7 110 K $ US. By 2020, imports had fallen to 5 418 K $ US, amounting to a strong 23.8% loss from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The data from 2017 to 2020 show that feldspar imports in value terms to Latin America and the Caribbean were not heavily concentrated. Spain accounted for 22.6% of imports in value terms, the United States for 5.9%, and Turkey for 5.6%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for 34.2% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020