South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market Analysis and Forecast by Size, Share, Growth, Trends 2031

The South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market size is expected to reach US$ 146.6 Million by 2031 from US$ 112.4 Million in 2024. The market is estimated to record a CAGR of 4.0% from 2025 to 2031.

Executive Summary and South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market Analysis:

The South and Central America fluorine-18 market is segmented into Brazil, Argentina, and the Rest of South and Central America. As of 2022, the region boasts 67 operational or commissioning cyclotrons dedicated primarily to F-18 production, a marked increase from 35 in 2015, reflecting investments in nuclear medicine infrastructure under initiatives such as the IAEA's ARCAL program. Countries such as Brazil and Argentina lead with 9 and 11 cyclotrons, respectively, enabling widespread synthesis of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). The cornerstone F-18 tracer is used in over 90% of PET procedures for detecting cancers such as lung and breast tumors. The number of PET scanners across Latin America and the Caribbean rise from 161 in 2015 to 315 in 2022, equating to 0.3 to 0.9 units per million inhabitants, with Brazil operating 146 and Argentina 42. In cardiology, F-18 FDG facilitates viability assessments and imaging of inflammation.

South & Central America Fluorine-18 Market: Strategic Insights

South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market Segmentation Analysis:

• By Product Type, the South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market is segmented into FDG, NaF, and Others. The FDG segment dominated the market in 2024.
• By Application, the South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market is segmented into Oncology, Cardiology, Neurology, and Others. The Oncology segment dominated the market in 2024.
• By End User, the South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market is segmented into Hospitals, Diagnostic and Imaging Centers, and Others. The Hospitals segment dominated the market in 2024.

South & Central America Fluorine-18 Market Players Density: Understanding Its Impact on Business Dynamics

The South & Central America Fluorine-18 Market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.

South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market Outlook

Theranostic integrates imaging and therapy by utilizing Fluorine-18 tracers, such as 18F-DCFPyL, to detect prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive prostate cancer lesions with 92% sensitivity, as demonstrated in clinical trials. This targeted imaging guides radioligand treatments, including Lutetium-177-PSMA, which have been shown to extend progression-free survival by 38% in advanced cases. The global prostate cancer burden exceeds 1.4 million new cases annually, with a projected 80% rise by 2040 as per the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Fluorine-18's 110-minute half-life supports centralized production, unlike shorter-lived isotopes, facilitating distribution for theranostic applications. 18F-fluoroestradiol in breast cancer identifies estrogen receptor-positive metastases with 78% accuracy, informing endocrine therapy decisions and reducing unnecessary chemotherapy in 20-30% of patients. Emerging tracers such as [¹?F]-FMISO, which are used to detect tumor hypoxia in glioblastoma, are currently under investigation. Early studies report 85% specificity in identifying radioresistant regions, potentially enabling dose-escalated radiotherapy and improving local tumor control by up to 15%. The global rise in PET/CT installations amplifies this opportunity, as hybrid systems enhance lesion localization, increasing theranostic adoption. As theranostics continues to advance, Fluorine-18 is playing a key role in precision medicine, driving demand for innovative tracers, increasing procedural volumes in high-burden cancers, and encouraging collaboration between imaging and therapeutic developers to optimize clinical workflows.

South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market Country Insights

By country, the South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market is segmented into Brazil, Argentina, and the Rest of South and Central America. Brazil held the largest share in 2024.

In oncology, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accounts for over 90% of procedures nationwide. As of 2022, Brazil operates 111 PET scanners nationwide, yielding a density of 0.53 units per million inhabitants. However, regional disparities persist. The Southeast boasts 0.56 per million with 49 scanners serving 88.4 million people. The Northeast lags at 0.05 per million across 30 scanners for 57.1 million. 16 cyclotrons facilitate local 18F production, a sharp rise from just two facilities in 2009 that generated US$35 million in 18F-FDG sales. Recent policy shifts, including the 2022 constitutional amendment that ended the state monopoly on cyclotron-produced radiopharmaceuticals, have led to a 17.4% increase in weekly radioisotope consumption from 2019 to 2022. 18F accounted for the bulk of PET demand.

South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market Company Profiles

Some of the key players operating in the market include Blue Earth Diagnostics Limited, Eli Lilly and Co, GE HealthCare Technologies Inc, Siemens Healthineers AG, Curium Pharma, IBA Radiopharma Solutions, Lantheus Medical Imaging Inc

These players are adopting various strategies such as expansion, product innovation, and mergers and acquisitions to provide innovative products to their consumers and increase their market share.

South and Central America Fluorine-18 Market Research Methodology

The following methodology has been followed for the collection and analysis of data presented in this report:

Secondary Research

The research process begins with comprehensive secondary research, utilizing internal and external sources to gather qualitative and quantitative data for each market. Commonly referenced secondary research sources include, but are not limited to:

• Company websites, annual reports, financial statements, broker analyses, and investor presentations
• Industry trade journals and other relevant publications
• Government documents, statistical databases, and market reports
• News articles, press releases, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market

Note:

Primary Research

The Insight Partners conducts a significant number of primary interviews each year with industry stakeholders and experts to validate its data analysis and gain valuable insights. These research interviews are designed to:

• Validate and refine findings from secondary research
• Enhance the expertise and market understanding of the analysis team
• Gain insights into market size, trends, growth patterns, competitive dynamics, and future prospects

Primary research is conducted via email interactions and telephone interviews, encompassing various markets, categories, segments, and sub-segments across different regions. Participants typically include:

• Industry stakeholders: Vice Presidents, Business Development Managers, Market Intelligence Managers, and National Sales Managers
• External experts: Valuation specialists, research analysts, and key opinion leaders with industry-specific expertise