Which Country Exports the Most Natural Sands in the World?

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Natural Sands - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025". Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

In 2016, approx. 204M tonnes of silica sand were imported worldwide- coming up by 61% against the previous year level. Overall, it indicated a remarkable expansion from 2007 to 2016: the total imports volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016, an increase of 61% from the previous year level. In that year, global silica sand imports reached its maximum volume, and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, silica sand imports totaled $1.6B in 2016. In general, silica sand imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global silica sand import peaked of $2.2B in 2014- however, from 2015 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Top Silica Sand Importing Countries in the World

1. Singapore (189.5 million USD)

2. Canada (137.7 million USD)

3. Belgium (131.4 million USD)

4. Netherlands (130.8 million USD)

5. France (45.6 million USD)

6. China (39.9 million USD)

7. Mozambique (0.4 million USD)

8. Cambodia (0.2 million USD)

Silica Sand Imports By Country

Mozambique (87M tonnes) was the largest importing country with an import of around 87M tonnes, which recorded 43% of total imports. Singapore (35M tonnes) occupied the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by China (16M tonnes), and Belgium (15M tonnes). All these countries together occupied approx. 32% share of total imports. Cambodia (7.3M tonnes), Canada (4.3M tonnes), France (3.2M tonnes), and the Netherlands (3.2M tonnes) occupied the weak share of total imports.

Mozambique was also the fastest growing in terms of the silica sand imports, with a CAGR of +195.5% from 2007 to 2016. At the same time, Singapore (+27.8%), Canada (+17.0%), and Cambodia (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Belgium (-2.1%), France (-2.5%), and the Netherlands (-12.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The Netherlands (4%) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Canada, Singapore, and Mozambique saw its share reduced by -1.6%, -15.3%, and -42.6% from 2007 to 2016, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest silica sand markets worldwide were Singapore ($190M), Canada ($138M) and Belgium ($131M), with a combined 28% share of global imports.

Canada (+12.8% per year) had the highest growth rate of silica sand imports, in terms of the main importing countries, over the last 9 years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silica Sand Import Prices By Country

In 2016, the average import price for silica sand amounted to $8 per tonne, descending by -38.5% against the previous year. In general, silica sand import price continues to indicate a deep curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010, when import price increased by 30% y-o-y. Over the period under review, average silica sand import price reached its maximum level of $18 per tonne in 2008- however, from 2009 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst major importing countries. In 2016, the country with the highest import prices was the Netherlands ($41 per tonne), while Mozambique ($0 per kg) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of silica sand import prices was attained by the Netherlands (+12.7% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global silica sand market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on

• silica sand market share
• silica sand prices
• silica sand industry
• silica sand sales
• silica sand import
• silica sand export
• silica sand market forecast
• silica sand price forecast
• key silica sand producers

All data provided in this article covers the following product: HS Code 2505 - Sands of all kinds- natural, whether or not coloured, other than metal-bearing sands of chapter 26.

Source: World: Natural Sands - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025