Asia-Pacific: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific silica sand market reached $X in 2022, with an increase of 3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Asia-Pacific

In value terms, silica sand production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a slight slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports in Asia-Pacific

In 2022, shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -50.5% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports recorded a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 17%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand exports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Malaysia (X tons) was the major exporter of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), generating 67% of total exports. Cambodia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 24% share, followed by Vietnam (5.7%).

Exports from Malaysia decreased at an average annual rate of -1.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Cambodia (+17.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cambodia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia-Pacific, with a CAGR of +17.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Vietnam (-14.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Cambodia (+21 p.p.) and Malaysia (+19 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Vietnam saw its share reduced by -11.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Malaysia ($X), Cambodia ($X) and Vietnam ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 89% share of total exports.

Cambodia, with a CAGR of +24.8%, 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

In 2022, the export price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -15.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a slight contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 32% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cambodia (+6.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in Asia-Pacific

In 2022, purchases abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) increased by 2% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Total imports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +58.0% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 55%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +95.3% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 33%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

China represented the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which resulted at 48% of total imports. Japan (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by South Korea (13%) and Singapore (13%). The Philippines (X tons), Thailand (X tons) and India (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) imports, with a CAGR of +37.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the Philippines (+37.0%), Thailand (+17.6%) and India (+6.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. South Korea experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Japan (-2.5%) and Singapore (-11.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+46 p.p.), the Philippines (+3.3 p.p.) and Thailand (+2.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of South Korea (-4.6 p.p.), Japan (-8.1 p.p.) and Singapore (-40.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in Asia-Pacific, comprising 43% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 12% share.

In China, silica sand imports increased at an average annual rate of +8.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (-2.7% per year) and South Korea (+0.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 16% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the import price increased by 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Singapore (+3.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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