Latin America and the Caribbean: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the Latin American silica sand market increased by 11% to $X, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, silica sand production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 30%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

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Silica Sand Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the amount of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exported in Latin America and the Caribbean surged to X tons, rising by 41% against the year before. In general, exports continue to indicate significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 150%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, silica sand exports fell slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports enjoyed buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 86% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Mexico (X tons) and Guyana (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together making up 95% of total exports. Brazil (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mexico (with a CAGR of +18.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Guyana ($X), Mexico ($X) and Brazil ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 77% of total exports.

Mexico, with a CAGR of +8.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, declining by -30.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 14% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Brazil ($X per ton), while Mexico ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (-4.8%).

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -36.9% to X tons in 2022. Total imports 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, imports increased by +52.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 87%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then declined notably in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand imports dropped sharply to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% 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 +25.5% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 69%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Mexico dominates imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 69% of total imports in 2022. Argentina (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 8.2% share, followed by Costa Rica (5.2%). The following importers - Saint Lucia (X tons), Grenada (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons) - together made up 9% of total imports.

Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands). At the same time, Costa Rica (+42.3%), Grenada (+25.8%), the Dominican Republic (+22.4%) and Argentina (+14.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Costa Rica emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +42.3% from 2012-2022. Saint Lucia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Argentina, Costa Rica and Grenada increased by +5.5, +5 and +2.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by the Dominican Republic, with a 3.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Mexico amounted to +5.9%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+13.5% per year) and the Dominican Republic (+20.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Import price indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, silica sand import price decreased by -17.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, 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 Argentina ($X per ton), while Grenada ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+5.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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