Feldspar market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The South American feldspar market volume increased from 904 thousand tons in 2018 to 964 thousand tons in 2019, supported by steady demand from the construction and ceramics industries, which are the primary consumers of feldspar in the region. Argentina, as a major regional producer, contributed to this growth as construction activity remained a key economic driver.

In 2020, market volume fell sharply to 696 thousand tons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused widespread supply chain disruptions and altered demand patterns across global industries. A partial recovery to 747 thousand tons followed in 2021 as markets adapted to the post-pandemic conditions.

A strong rebound occurred in 2022, with market volume reaching 1,046 thousand tons. This growth took place amid global market constraints and volatility stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war, which affected feldspar trade dynamics. In subsequent years, the recovery of Argentina's real estate market and regional economic conditions have been noted as factors shaping the feldspar market environment.

Production feldspar in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of feldspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of feldspar, 2017-2020

South America's feldspar production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 928.4 thousand tons, but then fell sharply by 27.6% year-over-year to 672.1 thousand tons in 2020. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 14.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.2%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 11.8%.

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

Exports feldspar from South America

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 3 804 tons, after peaking in 2017, with the peak being three times higher than the trough. In 2020, South America exported 7 853 tons of feldspar, marking a sharp increase of 106.4% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 62.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South America's feldspar exports in kind were distributed across numerous markets. Italy accounted for 10.5% of these exports, China for 9.2%, and Spain for 0.6%, with these three countries together representing only 20.4% of the total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Feldspar exports from South America increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3 899 thousand US dollars, up 19.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 97.4%, averaging an annual increase of 25.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Italy, China, and Spain formed the core group of markets for South America's feldspar exports in value terms. Italy accounted for 43.4% of exports, China for 17.9%, and Spain for 1.3%, with these three countries together representing 62.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports feldspar to South America

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, feldspar import volumes into South America declined. Imports peaked in 2019 at 39 378 tons, then fell by 18.4% year-over-year to 32 142 tons in 2020. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.3%, averaging an annual growth of 0.8%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, when imports rose by 15.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala, Spain, and Turkey remained the main suppliers of feldspar to South America in kind. Guatemala accounted for 28.8% of imports, Spain for 19.5%, and Turkey for 5.8%, with these three countries together forming 54.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of increase, South America's feldspar import volume declined. Imports reached their highest point in 2019 at 5 867 thousand US dollars, then dropped sharply by 20.8% to 4 649 thousand US dollars in 2020. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019, when imports grew by 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for feldspar imports in value terms to South America was quite broad. Spain accounted for 25.0% of imports, Guatemala for 14.6%, and Turkey for 6.9%, with these three countries together representing only 46.6% of total import flows.

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

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