EU: Construction Sands Market 2024

Construction Sands Market Size in the EU

In 2022, the EU construction sands market decreased by -5.7% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after four years of growth. Overall, consumption showed a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the market value increased by 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Construction Sands Production in the EU

In value terms, construction sands production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a slight shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 9.8%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Construction Sands Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, overseas shipments of construction sands increased by 16% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, exports continue to indicate measured growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 77% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, construction sands exports rose to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 14%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands was the key exporter of construction sands in the European Union, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 57% of total exports in 2022. Germany (X tons) took a 28% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by France (6.6%). Belgium (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

The Netherlands was also the fastest-growing in terms of the construction sands exports, with a CAGR of +5.8% from 2012 to 2022. France and Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Belgium (-8.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the Netherlands increased by +16 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest construction sands supplier in the European Union, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 6.1% share.

In the Netherlands, construction sands exports increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-2.5% per year) and France (-2.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -11.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 36% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 Belgium ($X per ton), while Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Construction Sands Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, the amount of construction sands imported in the European Union totaled X tons, flattening at the previous year. In general, imports, however, recorded a noticeable curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, construction sands imports declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Belgium was the largest importer of construction sands in the European Union, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 51% of total imports in 2022. The Netherlands (X tons) held a 24% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Luxembourg (5%) and France (4.5%). Germany (X tons) and Poland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to construction sands imports into Belgium stood at -3.7%. At the same time, Poland (+39.1%) and Luxembourg (+7.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +39.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the Netherlands (-2.3%), Germany (-4.5%) and France (-11.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Luxembourg (+3.3 p.p.), Poland (+2.9 p.p.) and the Netherlands (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Belgium and France saw its share reduced by -3.6% and -6.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest construction sands importing markets in the European Union were Belgium ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X), together comprising 72% of total imports. Germany, Luxembourg and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.

Among the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +8.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -11% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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