2025 Bolivia Gypsum Export: Volatile Surge

## Bolivia Gypsum Export Key Takeaways

**Gypsum**, classified under **HS Code 2528**, experienced a regulatory-driven boom-and-bust cycle from January to December 2025.  

- **Market Pulse (Trend):** Q4 saw a 114% value surge followed by a 72% collapse, exposing volatility tied to UPU HS code mandate compliance.  
- **Structural Pivot (Geography/Company):** Bolivia Gypsum Export relies on two buyers (VITTIA S.A and CAMPOFERT S.A.S) for 95% of volume, with Brazil as the dominant but non-monopsony destination (40% share).  
- **Grade Analysis (HS Code):** HS Code 2528 trade data confirms a bulk commodity game—low-grade, unrefined borates dominate at $0.26-$0.38/kg, with no premium product differentiation.  

This overview covers the period from January to December 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the [yTrade database](https://ytrade.com/data-sources).  

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## Expert Note: Regulatory Whiplash Masks a Fragile Supply Chain  
> **Expert Commentary:** The October 2025 shipment spike wasn’t demand—it was panic. Bolivian exporters dumped inventory to avoid UPU compliance risks, revealing a market held hostage by policy shifts and buyer concentration. This isn’t volatility; it’s systemic fragility.  

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## Strategic Action Plan  
- **Diversify buyer base:** Brazil and China account for 83.74% of export value. Target secondary contracts in Peru or the U.S. to mitigate single-channel dependency.  
- **Hedge Q4 2026 logistics:** Anticipate another pre-mandate shipment rush. Secure freight capacity early to avoid bottlenecks.  
- **Audit HS code compliance:** UPU’s 2025 mandate requires precise coding. Verify supplier documentation to prevent customs delays.  
- **Optimize for premium markets:** Brazil and the U.S. pay above-average unit prices. Shift marginal volume to these destinations to improve margins.  
- **Monitor regulatory timelines:** Track UPU and Bolivian export policy updates to preempt future disruptions.

Bolivia's Q4 Gypsum Surge Collapses on Regulatory Shock

Volatile Export Pattern Reveals Preemptive Shipping

• Bolivia's gypsum (HS 2528) exports surged 114% in value ($14.33M) and 98% in weight (47.49M kg) in October 2025, then collapsed 72% by December, defining the Bolivia Gypsum Export trend as high-volatility and regulation-driven.
• This represents not demand fluctuation but forced inventory dumping ahead of the UPU’s September 1 HS code mandate, exposing structural dependency on few buyers (Brazil, China) and fragile compliance capacity.

Regulatory Drivers and Strategic Implications

• The October peak and December freeze align with the hs code 2528 value chain racing to clear shipments before the Universal Postal Union’s strict HS coding took effect [ePost Global Shipping], confirming that policy—not market fundamentals—drove Q4 volatility.
• Tactical Advisory:
• Hedge against Q4 2026 logistics bottlenecks as exporters again front-run regulatory deadlines.
• Diversify away from Brazilian and Chinese buyers to mitigate single-channel dependency.
• Audit Bolivian suppliers’ HS code compliance to avoid clearance delays under new UPU rules.

Table: Bolivia Gypsum Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

Get Bolivia Gypsum Data Latest Updates

Bolivia's Borate Export Market is a Volume-Driven Commodity Game

Dominated by Bulk, Low-Grade Shipments

According to yTrade data, the market is overwhelmingly controlled by a single product category: unrefined natural borates with low boric acid content (HS Code 2528001010). This single sub-code accounts for nearly half of all export volume and value from Bolivia throughout 2025. This extreme concentration reveals a supply chain built on moving massive tonnage of a raw, undifferentiated product, not a diversified portfolio of specialized goods. The market is brutally top-heavy.

Cheap by the Kilo, Sold by the Ton

The unit price for all major sub-codes is dirt cheap, hovering between USD 0.26 and USD 0.38 per kilogram. This confirms a pure commodity market where competition is based on volume and cost, not quality or technical specification. The entire HS Code 2528 breakdown for Bolivia is trading raw bulk; there is no evidence of value-add refinement or premium grades. The human insight is simple: this isn't a high-margin business; it's a logistics operation moving dirt.

Table: Bolivia HS Code 2528) Export Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 2528 Breakdown

Bolivia's Gypsum Exports Balance Premium and Commodity Demand Across the Americas and Asia

How Concentrated is Bolivia's Gypsum Export Market?

• Bolivia’s gypsum exports are distributed across multiple partners, with Brazil as the dominant buyer at 40% of total value but without exceeding the 50% monopsony risk threshold. No self-export patterns exist, confirming all flows represent genuine foreign demand. The top four destinations—Brazil, Panama, China, and Peru—collectively account for 83.74% of export value, indicating a moderately concentrated but stable market.

Are Buyers Seeking High-Margin Quality or Low-Cost Bulk Gypsum?

• Brazil and the United States show premium signals, with value shares exceeding weight shares, reflecting demand for higher-value gypsum likely used in construction or specialty applications. In contrast, Panama, China, and Peru exhibit commodity bulk-buyer behavior, prioritizing volume over unit price. This mix supports both margin potential (via Brazil and the U.S.) and volume scale (through Asian and Latin American partners), with average realized prices ranging widely based on destination.

Table: Bolivia Gypsum (HS Code 2528) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Bolivia Gypsum (HS Code 2528) Complete Destination Countries Profile

Bolivia’s Gypsum Market Is Dominated by Two Strategic Contract Partners

Buyer Concentration & Market Structure

According to yTrade data, the Bolivia Gypsum buyers are primarily defined by Key Accounts. Two firms—VITTIA S.A and CAMPOFERT S.A.S—control 95% of export value and volume, indicating a hyper-concentrated, contract-driven supply chain. This isn’t a spot market; it’s a locked-in partnership structure with minimal fragmentation.

Purchasing Behavior & Sales Strategy

Selling into this market requires deep relationship investment, not transactional agility. With 95% of value tied to two buyers, new entrants must bypass traditional channels and engage directly with procurement leadership at these firms. Compliance is critical: new UPU HS code mandates effective September 2025 require precise coding for smooth customs clearance [ePost Global Shipping]. Diversification is low-risk; focus on securing a secondary contract rather than chasing small buyers.

Table: Bolivia Gypsum (HS Code 2528) Top Buyers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Bolivia Gypsum Buyers list

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Bolivia Gypsum Export in 2025?

A1. Regulatory changes, specifically the UPU’s HS code mandate, caused a surge in October 2025 as exporters rushed shipments, followed by a sharp drop in December. This volatility reflects dependency on few buyers and compliance challenges.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Bolivia Gypsum (HS Code 2528) in 2025?

A2. Brazil dominates with 40% of export value, followed by Panama, China, and Peru—together accounting for 83.74% of Bolivia’s gypsum exports.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Bolivia Gypsum Export in 2025?

A3. Brazil and the U.S. pay premium prices for higher-value gypsum (likely for construction/specialty uses), while Panama, China, and Peru prioritize bulk volume at lower unit prices.

Q4. What should exporters in Bolivia focus on in the current Gypsum export market?

A4. Secure contracts with key buyers like VITTIA S.A and CAMPOFERT S.A.S (controlling 95% of trade) and diversify beyond Brazil/China to mitigate regulatory and concentration risks.

Q5. What does this Bolivia Gypsum export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

A5. Buyers in Brazil/U.S. can access premium-grade gypsum, while Asian/Latin American buyers benefit from stable bulk supply—but all must anticipate Q4 2026 regulatory bottlenecks.

Q6. How is Gypsum typically used in this trade flow?

A6. Bolivia’s exports are primarily unrefined natural borates (HS 2528001010), traded as low-margin bulk commodities for industrial or agricultural applications.