Natural Sand Market

The global natural sand market is projected to see continued growth in consumption over the next eight years, with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% from 2022 to 2030. Market performance is forecasted to expand in both volume and value terms, reaching 2,106M tons and $123B, respectively, by the end of 2030. In 2022, consumption decreased slightly, but overall, the trend has been upward. Global production and exports also saw fluctuations, with construction sands being the major type of natural sand exported. Import prices varied by country of origin, with significant differences recorded. The United States remains the largest natural sand exporter, with an average annual growth rate of +5.3% in exports from 2012 to 2022. The future outlook for the global natural sand market shows potential for growth and continued trends in consumption, production, and trade.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for natural 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 +2.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2,106M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $123B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Natural Sands

In 2022, consumption of natural sands decreased by -1.6% to 1,735M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 8%. Global consumption peaked at 1,763M tons in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

The global natural sand market size shrank modestly to $91.7B in 2022, almost unchanged from 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). Overall, consumption, however, saw slight growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 5.9%. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $92B in 2021, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Canada (305M tons), China (266M tons) and the Philippines (213M tons), with a combined 45% share of global consumption. Germany, Poland, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, the UK, France, Mexico, Turkey and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Singapore (with a CAGR of +11.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest natural sand markets worldwide were Canada ($8.3B), Italy ($4.2B) and China ($3.3B), together accounting for 17% of the global market. The UK, Vietnam, Mexico, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey, France, Germany, Singapore and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 13%.

The Philippines, with a CAGR of +11.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of natural sand per capita consumption in 2022 were Canada (7.9 ton per person), Singapore (7.9 ton per person) and the Philippines (1.9 ton per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Singapore (with a CAGR of +10.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Natural Sands

In 2022, production of natural sands decreased by -0.7% to 1,689M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume at 1,701M tons in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, natural sand production reached $91.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $120.6B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Canada (301M tons), China (262M tons) and the Philippines (214M tons), together accounting for 46% of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Philippines (with a CAGR of +11.1%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Natural Sands

In 2022, supplies from abroad of natural sands decreased by -14.9% to 101M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate moderate growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 76% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 154M tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, natural sand imports shrank modestly to $2.4B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 2017 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $2.4B in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Imports By Country

Singapore represented the key importing country with an import of around 45M tons, which finished at 45% of total imports. Belgium (14M tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Canada (5.6%) and China (4.6%). The Netherlands (4.1M tons), the United States (2.5M tons), Thailand (1.8M tons), France (1.7M tons), Italy (1.7M tons), Luxembourg (1.6M tons), Germany (1.6M tons) and Switzerland (1.5M tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to natural sand imports into Singapore stood at +11.2%. At the same time, China (+39.5%), Thailand (+38.5%), the United States (+4.1%), Luxembourg (+4.0%), Italy (+2.4%) and Canada (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, China emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +39.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Switzerland (-1.5%), Germany (-3.0%), Belgium (-3.4%), the Netherlands (-6.9%) and France (-8.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Singapore, China and Thailand increased by +25, +4.4 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest natural sand importing markets worldwide were Singapore ($302M), Canada ($251M) and China ($227M), together comprising 33% of global imports. Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, the United States, France, Switzerland, Thailand and Luxembourg lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Thailand, with a CAGR of +13.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

Construction sands represented the key imported product with an import of about 73M tons, which recorded 72% of total imports. It was distantly followed by silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) (28M tons), generating a 28% share of total imports.

Construction sands was also the fastest-growing in terms of imports, with a CAGR of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022. Silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Construction sands (+5.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) saw its share reduced by -5.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest types of imported natural sands were silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) ($1.5B) and construction sands ($845M).

Among the main imported products, silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), with a CAGR of +2.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average natural sand import price amounted to $23 per ton, surging by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 61% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $31 per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) ($54 per ton), while the price for construction sands totaled $12 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by silica sand (+1.7%).

Import Prices By Country

The average natural sand import price stood at $23 per ton in 2022, increasing by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average import price increased by 61%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $31 per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($57 per ton), while Singapore ($6.6 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 (+6.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Natural Sands

In 2022, approx. 54M tons of natural sands were exported worldwide; which is down by -3.8% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 128%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 237M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, natural sand exports totaled $1.8B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

The Netherlands (13M tons), Germany (9.1M tons) and the United States (6.3M tons) represented roughly 52% of total exports in 2022. Belgium (2.8M tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 5.2% share, followed by France (4.6%) and Malaysia (4.6%). The following exporters - Canada (2.2M tons), Mexico (1.1M tons), Mozambique (1.1M tons), the Philippines (1M tons), China (0.9M tons) and Portugal (0.9M tons) - together made up 13% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +149.0%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($569M) remains the largest natural sand supplier worldwide, comprising 31% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($260M), with a 14% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with an 8.3% share.

In the United States, natural sand exports increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+4.2% per year) and Germany (-0.4% per year).

Exports By Type

In 2022, construction sands (35M tons) represented the major type of natural sands, committing 64% of total exports. It was distantly followed by silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) (19M tons), comprising a 36% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for construction sands (with a CAGR of +0.8%).

In value terms, silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) ($1.2B) remains the largest type of natural sands supplied worldwide, comprising 67% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by construction sands ($604M), with a 33% share of global exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exports totaled +2.2%.

Export Prices By Type

The average natural sand export price stood at $34 per ton in 2022, increasing by 8.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a slight expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 475%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $39 per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) ($63 per ton), while the average price for exports of construction sands amounted to $17 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by silica sand (+2.1%).

Export Prices By Country

The average natural sand export price stood at $34 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 8.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate mild growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 475%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $39 per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($90 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 (+12.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform