Sandstone Market

The article discusses the rising demand for sandstone worldwide, with forecasts predicting an upward trend in market consumption and value from 2022 to 2030. Key metrics such as market volume, value, production, imports, and exports are analyzed, with insights into top consuming and producing countries. The data indicates fluctuations in consumption and production levels over the years, with notable growth rates in certain countries. Key information on import and export trends, average prices, and market sizes for different countries are also provided.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for sandstone worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 21M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $8.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Sandstone

In 2022, global consumption of sandstone expanded to 21M tons, growing by 4.2% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a abrupt downturn. Global consumption peaked at 43M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global sandstone market revenue rose modestly to $7.8B in 2022, picking up by 2.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, recorded a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 8.3%. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level at $15B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (4.7M tons), the United States (2.8M tons) and India (2.3M tons), with a combined 47% share of global consumption. Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Germany, Nigeria, Turkey, Spain, Ethiopia and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +13.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the consumption figures.

In value terms, the largest sandstone markets worldwide were China ($1.5B), the United States ($1.2B) and Nigeria ($569M), with a combined 42% share of the global market. India, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Brazil, Pakistan, Germany, France, Russia, Spain and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +11.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the market figures.

The countries with the highest levels of sandstone per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (8.5 kg per person), Spain (7 kg per person) and Russia (5.4 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +12.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Production

World Production of Sandstone

Global sandstone production rose significantly to 21M tons in 2022, surging by 5.1% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 9.3%. Global production peaked at 43M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sandstone production rose modestly to $7.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 7%. Global production peaked at $15.5B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (4.4M tons), the United States (2.8M tons) and India (2.7M tons), together accounting for 48% of global production. Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Germany, Turkey, Nigeria, Spain and Ethiopia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +12.5%), while production for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.

Imports

World Imports of Sandstone

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of sandstone, when their volume decreased by -31.2% to 837K tons. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 1.2M tons in 2021, and then shrank notably in the following year.

In value terms, sandstone imports shrank notably to $246M in 2022. In general, total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +39.9% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 47%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $353M, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

Imports By Country

China (273K tons) and the UK (255K tons) were the main importers of sandstone in 2022, amounting to approx. 33% and 30% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (60K tons), comprising a 7.2% share of total imports. Canada (37K tons), the United States (26K tons), Romania (24K tons), Belgium (22K tons), Italy (22K tons), France (20K tons), Bangladesh (16K tons) and Germany (15K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Bangladesh (with a CAGR of +45.8%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the UK ($113M) constitutes the largest market for imported sandstone worldwide, comprising 46% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($48M), with a 19% share of global imports. It was followed by Romania, with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the UK amounted to +5.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (-2.1% per year) and Romania (+23.2% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average sandstone import price amounted to $294 per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 31%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Romania ($477 per ton), while Bangladesh ($39 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+12.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Sandstone

In 2022, overseas shipments of sandstone decreased by -21.3% to 769K tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after seven years of growth. Overall, total exports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -35.2% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 1.2M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sandstone exports shrank remarkably to $119M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $225M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

In 2022, India (432K tons) was the largest exporter of sandstone, mixing up 56% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Poland (219K tons), making up a 28% share of total exports. Spain (31K tons) and Belgium (17K tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +72.1%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($82M) remains the largest sandstone supplier worldwide, comprising 69% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($7.4M), with a 6.2% share of global exports. It was followed by Poland, with a 3.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in India was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+11.4% per year) and Poland (+31.1% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average sandstone export price stood at $155 per ton in 2022, waning by -25.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $222 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($239 per ton), while Poland ($17 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (-0.9%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform