Brazil: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Brazil

In 2022, the Brazilian silica sand market decreased by -4.6% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, consumption, however, saw a abrupt setback. Silica sand consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Brazil

In value terms, silica sand production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 19%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from Brazil

In 2022, overseas shipments of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -58.3% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, recorded resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 143%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand exports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a temperate increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 171%. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Chile (X tons) was the main destination for silica sand exports from Brazil, accounting for a 62% share of total exports. Moreover, silica sand exports to Chile exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Argentina (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Paraguay (X tons), with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Chile stood at +4.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Argentina (+27.7% per year) and Paraguay (+33.0% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for silica sand exported from Brazil were Chile ($X), the United States ($X) and Argentina ($X), together comprising 83% of total exports. Paraguay, Bolivia and India lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Bolivia, with a CAGR of +24.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average silica sand export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 37%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+1.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Brazil

For the third consecutive year, Brazil recorded growth in supplies from abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), which increased by 16% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 168%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, silica sand imports rose significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 134% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), China (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main suppliers of silica sand imports to Brazil, together comprising 68% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +274.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) to Brazil, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States stood at +32.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+170.4% per year) and China (-1.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average silica sand import price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -4.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 25% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+16.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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