Construction Sands Market

The global construction sands market is forecasted to experience growth with an expected increase in consumption and production trends over the next eight years. By 2030, the market volume is projected to reach 2,266M tons, with a value of $429.6B. In 2022, the top consuming countries were China, the United States, and India, while the top producing countries were China, the United States, and India. Singapore emerged as the fastest-growing importer, while the Netherlands and Germany were the largest exporters. Learn more about the market trends and forecasts in the construction sands industry.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for construction sands worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +5.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2,266M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $429.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Construction Sands

In 2022, global construction sands consumption declined slightly to 1,535M tons, flattening at the year before. Overall, the total consumption indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by +0.4% against 2020 indices. Global consumption peaked at 1,770M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global construction sands market revenue totaled $255.5B in 2022, flattening at 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). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -11.1% against 2017 indices. Global consumption peaked at $287.6B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (244M tons), the United States (147M tons) and India (98M tons), with a combined 32% share of global consumption. Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, Germany, Brazil, France, the UK, Mexico and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Singapore (with a CAGR of +13.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($73.1B), the United States ($36.9B) and Nigeria ($8.1B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together accounting for 46% of the global market. Brazil, Pakistan, China, the UK, Mexico, Bangladesh, Russia, Singapore, Germany and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 9.7%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Singapore, with a CAGR of +13.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of construction sands per capita consumption was registered in Singapore (7,464 kg per person), followed by Germany (481 kg per person), France (460 kg per person) and the UK (444 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of construction sands was estimated at 195 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the construction sands per capita consumption in Singapore stood at +12.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+1.5% per year) and France (+1.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Construction Sands

In 2022, production of construction sands was finally on the rise to reach 1,497M tons after four years of decline. In general, the total production indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -19.7% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 1,864M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, construction sands production totaled $254.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -21.7% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $325.4B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (244M tons), the United States (145M tons) and India (98M tons), with a combined 33% share of global production. Pakistan, Nigeria, Germany, Russia, Brazil, France, Mexico, the UK, Bangladesh and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +8.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Construction Sands

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of construction sands decreased by -17% to 73M tons in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a temperate increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 98%. As a result, imports attained the peak of 120M tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, construction sands imports dropped to $845M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% 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 2017 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $983M. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

Singapore was the largest importing country with an import of around 43M tons, which resulted at 59% of total imports. Belgium (12M tons) held a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (4.8%). The following importers - the United States (1.7M tons), Thailand (1.6M tons), Switzerland (1.2M tons) and Luxembourg (1.2M tons) - each resulted at a 7.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to construction sands imports into Singapore stood at +13.3%. At the same time, Thailand (+56.6%), Luxembourg (+7.8%) and the United States (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Thailand emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +56.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Switzerland (-2.1%), Belgium (-3.5%) and the Netherlands (-6.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Singapore and Thailand increased by +36 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Singapore ($265M) constitutes the largest market for imported construction sands worldwide, comprising 31% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($119M), with a 14% share of global imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Singapore stood at +9.2%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-1.5% per year) and the Netherlands (-0.3% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average construction sands import price amounted to $12 per ton, picking up by 7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 79% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $19 per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($29 per ton), while Thailand ($2.2 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+6.1%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Construction Sands

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of construction sands decreased by -7.8% to 35M tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 204%. The global exports peaked at 214M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, construction sands exports dropped to $604M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 14%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $619M, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (12M tons) and Germany (8.2M tons) represented the largest exporters of construction sandsin the world, together achieving 57% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Canada (2M tons), France (1.8M tons) and Malaysia (1.7M tons), together mixing up a 16% share of total exports. Mexico (1,075K tons), Mozambique (1,051K tons), the Philippines (1,012K tons), China (904K tons) and Belgium (714K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +149.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($213M) remains the largest construction sands supplier worldwide, comprising 35% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($76M), with a 13% share of global exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the Netherlands totaled +5.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-1.9% per year) and Mozambique (+113.6% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average construction sands export price stood at $17 per ton in 2022, picking up by 5.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate slight growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 934% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $24 per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 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 Mozambique ($59 per ton), while the Philippines ($3.1 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+12.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform