Africa: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Africa

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was growth in the African silica sand market, when its value increased by 0.7% to $X. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Africa

In value terms, silica sand production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, silica sand exports in Africa was estimated at X tons, rising by 3.6% compared with the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period 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 when exports increased by 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, silica sand exports rose sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 53%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the two major exporters of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), namely Egypt and Tunisia, represented more than two-thirds of total export.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Tunisia (with a CAGR of +3.0%).

In value terms, the largest silica sand supplying countries in Africa were Tunisia ($X) and Egypt ($X).

Among the main exporting countries, Tunisia, with a CAGR of +1.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 8.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced contraction. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Egypt totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (-1.4%).

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -3.5% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% 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 2019 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand imports soared to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period 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 2013 when imports increased by 41%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Morocco (X tons) was the largest importer of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), making up 49% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Algeria (X tons) and Angola (X tons), together achieving a 28% share of total imports. Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (X tons), Senegal (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to silica sand imports into Morocco stood at -2.2%. At the same time, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (+44.2%), Algeria (+17.8%), Angola (+15.4%) and Senegal (+5.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +44.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Tunisia (-4.2%) and Tanzania (-6.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Algeria (+18 p.p.), Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (+3.7 p.p.) and Angola (+3.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Tanzania (-1.9 p.p.) and Morocco (-21.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Morocco ($X), Angola ($X) and Algeria ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 66% of total imports. Senegal, Tunisia, Tanzania and Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 7.3%.

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, with a CAGR of +38.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 20% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 62% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($X per ton), while Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Angola (+13.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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