Saudi Arabia: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Saudi Arabia

In 2022, the Saudi silica sand market decreased by -2.1% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, consumption showed a noticeable decline. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, silica sand production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 13%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

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Silica Sand Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2022, shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) increased by 3.5% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 27%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, silica sand exports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +5.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Bahrain (X tons) was the main destination for silica sand exports from Saudi Arabia, with a 82% share of total exports. Moreover, silica sand exports to Bahrain exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, India (X tons), sevenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Bahrain amounted to +41.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+23.8% per year) and Qatar (+14.3% per year).

In value terms, Bahrain ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exports from Saudi Arabia, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Bahrain amounted to +36.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+17.3% per year) and Qatar (+9.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average silica sand export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 10% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.9%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Qatar ($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 Oman (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2022, silica sand imports into Saudi Arabia fell to X tons, reducing by -10.6% compared with 2021. In general, imports recorded a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 81% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 56% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, India (X tons) constituted the largest silica sand supplier to Saudi Arabia, accounting for a 63% share of total imports. Moreover, silica sand imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Belgium (X tons), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from India totaled +3.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (+22.8% per year) and the United States (+4.0% per year).

In value terms, Belgium ($X), India ($X) and the United States ($X) constituted the largest silica sand suppliers to Saudi Arabia, with a combined 65% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Belgium, with a CAGR of +16.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average silica sand import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, declining by -24.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, enjoyed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 183%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Norway (+111.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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