Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Peru

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for kaolin and kaolinic clays in Peru experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2022. After reaching 23,149 т in 2018, it fell by 34% to 15,190 т in 2019. A gradual recovery followed, with the market expanding to 16,627 т in 2020, 20,042 т in 2021, and 21,680 т in 2022.

The contraction in 2019 coincided with a sharp decline in domestic production, which dropped from 16,004 т to 9,208 т, while imports also fell. The subsequent recovery was supported by rising production, which reached 14,300 т in 2022, and a surge in imports during 2021, which increased market supply. In value terms, the market declined from $6.4 million in 2018 to $4.6 million in 2019 before recovering strongly to $8.5 million in 2022, indicating higher unit values in later years.

The Peruvian market for kaolin has operated within a framework of macroeconomic stability and sustained demand from industrial sectors such as ceramics, paper, and cosmetics, with no major regulatory changes specifically targeting the commodity in recent years.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Peru

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

World map of production of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

Peru's production of kaolin and kaolinic clays rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The country produced 12 536 tonnes, marking a significant 36.1% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9 208 tonnes, with that year also seeing the steepest drop of 42.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Peru in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of Peru's kaolin and kaolinic clays production showed recovery in 2020 following a two-year downturn. Output was valued at 2 821 thousand US dollars, representing a 33.1% year-on-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 31.2%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 11.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 119 thousand US dollars, with that year experiencing the most substantial decline of 42.3%.

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

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Peru

Exports in kind, t

Peru's export volume of kaolin and kaolinic clays reached 2 693 tonnes in 2020, an 11.8% increase from the 2 409 tonnes exported in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 5.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 698 tonnes, while 2019 saw the largest decline of 10.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Chile and Ecuador were the primary destinations for Peru's kaolin and kaolinic clay exports in volume terms, together accounting for 85.9% of total exports. The remaining volume was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Peru's export value of kaolin and kaolinic clays amounted to 606 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 9.3% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 2.3%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 619 thousand US dollars, while 2019 experienced the largest decline of 10.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Chile and Ecuador remained the key destinations for Peru's kaolin and kaolinic clay exports in value terms, jointly representing 84.3% of total export value. Other trading partners individually accounted for much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Peru

Imports in kind, t

Peru's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 6 784 tonnes. This represented a substantial 19.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 31.3%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain formed the main cluster of suppliers for Peru's kaolin and kaolinic clay imports in volume terms. France accounted for 30.7% of imports, the United Kingdom for 29.9%, and Spain for 17.7%, together comprising 78.2% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Peru's import value of kaolin and kaolinic clays declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 2 432 thousand US dollars. This represented a 20.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 22.3%, with an average annual decline of 8.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 3 360 thousand US dollars, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 7.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom were the largest sources of Peru's kaolin and kaolinic clay imports in value terms. France accounted for 33.9% of import value, the United States for 27.8%, and the United Kingdom for 17.4%, together representing 79.2% of total import value.

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

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