Fluorspar market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Central American fluorspar market remained stable at just over 1 million tonnes annually. This stability was supported by growing global demand for steel and fluorochemicals derived from fluorspar, while stricter environmental legislation in China during 2019 affected worldwide supply and helped maintain regional volumes. However, 2020 saw a sharp contraction to 754 thousand tonnes.

Market volume stabilized near 737 thousand tonnes in 2021, a period when Vietnam expanded as a significant new producer and the U.S. classified fluorspar as a critical mineral, incentivizing domestic output. By 2022, consumption rebounded to 844 thousand tonnes, driven by rising demand within Latin America, logistics improvements, and government initiatives in the U.S. and Europe promoting fluorspar recovery and recycling. In 2023 and 2024, global factors such as increased demand for lithium-ion batteries and stricter environmental controls in China continued to shape the fluorspar industry landscape.

Production fluorspar in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fluorspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of fluorspar, 2017-2020

Central America's fluorspar production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1,231 thousand tons. However, in 2020, it dropped to 915 thousand tons, marking a significant decrease of 25.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 23.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 59.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, import levels were at their lowest, while they peaked in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the output of fluorspar in Central America was valued at 418.1 million US dollars, down by 30.6% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 602.3 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 87.3%.

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

Exports fluorspar from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America's fluorspar exports amounted to 168.5 thousand tons, representing a solid decrease of 23.1% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 219.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 18.1% that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.1%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the primary market for Central America's fluorspar exports in kind, accounting for 84.4% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among various other destinations.

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, M $ US

Central America's fluorspar export volume declined after a two-year improvement. In 2020, exports were valued at 77.0 million US dollars, indicating a steep decline of 28.1% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 107.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 46.0% that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the key buyer of fluorspar from Central America in value terms, taking 87.8% of total exports. A diversified group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

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 fluorspar to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2018, imports peaked at 19.9 thousand tons, while they reached their lowest point in 2020, showing a 2.6-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Central America imported a total of fluorspar, representing a 48.3% drop compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 128.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated the list of suppliers of fluorspar to Central America in kind, with a share of 1.1% of total imports.

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, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. In 2018, imports reached their peak, while in 2020, they hit a trough, showing a 2.4-fold variation. In 2020, Central America imported fluorspar valued at million US dollars, which is 47.6% less than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 6.2 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 133.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States consistently held the leading position in imports of fluorspar to Central America in value terms, accounting for 2.1% of total flows.

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

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