Market research

Magnesite market in South America

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"South America" region includes following countries:

Argentina

Bolivia

Bouvet Island

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

French Guiana

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Earlier Report Observations

The South American magnesite market volume fell sharply in 2020, dropping by over 30% to around 2 million tons after holding steady near 3 million tons in 2018 and 2019.

Following this contraction, the market stabilized at approximately 2 million tons in 2021 and 2022, a level sustained by corresponding domestic production figures while imports remained a minor component.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2018-2022, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production magnesite in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of magnesite, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of magnesite, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Magnesite production in South America has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, South America produced 1 995 K t of magnesite, marking a significant reduction of 32.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 41%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 16.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.7%)	(0.6%)	(32.7%)	(16.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports magnesite from South America

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 47 t and peaked in 2019 at 5 541 t, representing a dramatic 119-fold increase. In 2020, cross-border shipments of magnesite from South America totaled 47 t, reflecting a sharp decrease of 99.2% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 11 790.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(24.5%)	11 790.5%	(99.2%)	(8.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Mexico were the two dominant destinations for magnesite exports from South America. The Netherlands accounted for 82.7% of total flows, while Mexico represented 7.1%, together comprising 89.7% of all exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 23 K $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 464 K $ US, indicating a 21-fold gap. In 2020, magnesite deliveries from South America amounted to 27 K $ US, a 94.2% decrease year-over-year. The largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 1 961.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(17.0%)	1 961.7%	(94.2%)	(0.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Germany accounted for the largest share of exports in value terms. The Netherlands represented 56.0% of exports, Mexico 23.1%, and Germany 0.7%, together making up 79.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports magnesite to South America

Imports in kind, t

South America's magnesite imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 5 932 t, reflecting a gain of 28.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 30.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 3 118 t, which saw the largest decline of 31.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 47.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(31.6%)	47.9%	28.7%	9.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala dominated magnesite imports to South America, concentrating 82.3% of total imports in kind. The remaining flows were distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Magnesite shipments to South America from abroad have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 757 K $ US, up by 24.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 23.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 063 K $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 25.5%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a growth of 33.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(25.5%)	33.3%	24.0%	7.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Guatemala, Japan, and Spain consistently held leading positions in the import structure by value. Guatemala accounted for 67.3% of imports, Japan for 11.1%, and Spain for 2.9%, jointly representing 81.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io