Africa: Natural Sand Market 2022

Natural Sand Market Size in Africa

The African natural sand market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after four years of decline. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Natural Sand Production in Africa

In value terms, natural sand production expanded to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 16%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Natural Sand Exports

Exports in Africa

After four years of growth, shipments abroad of natural sands decreased by -3.6% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 323% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then declined modestly in the following year.

In value terms, natural sand exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +67.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 66%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Egypt was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which reached 66% of total exports. Tunisia (X tons) held a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by South Africa (13%).

Exports from Egypt decreased at an average annual rate of -1.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, South Africa (+17.1%) and Tunisia (+9.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Africa emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +17.1% from 2012-2021. While the share of Tunisia (+10 p.p.) and South Africa (+9.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Egypt (-14.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest natural sand supplying countries in Africa were Egypt ($X), South Africa ($X) and Tunisia ($X), together comprising 94% of total exports.

Tunisia, with a CAGR of +7.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a mild increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the export price increased by 246% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+1.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Natural Sand Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of natural sands increased by 20% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a pronounced shrinkage. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, natural sand imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Morocco represented the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 36% of total imports. Botswana (X tons) took a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Cabo Verde (8.7%), Algeria (6.8%) and Kenya (6.3%). The following importers - Mozambique (X tons), Burundi (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Mauritania (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) - together made up 14% of total imports.

Imports into Morocco decreased at an average annual rate of -1.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Burundi (+68.5%), Mauritania (+34.0%), Botswana (+29.2%), Egypt (+13.9%), Mozambique (+8.3%), Algeria (+8.2%) and Tunisia (+3.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Burundi emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +68.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Africa (-3.9%), Cabo Verde (-6.8%) and Kenya (-15.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Botswana (+11 p.p.), Algeria (+4 p.p.), Burundi (+2.6 p.p.), Mozambique (+1.7 p.p.) and Mauritania (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Cabo Verde and Kenya saw its share reduced by -5% and -17% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Botswana ($X), Morocco ($X) and Mauritania ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 31% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, Algeria, Mozambique, South Africa, Cabo Verde and Burundi, which together accounted for a further 33%.

Burundi, with a CAGR of +63.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, leveling off at the previous year. In general, the import price showed a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Mauritania ($X per ton), while Morocco ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritania (+16.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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