Asia: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Asia

The Asian silica sand market soared to $X in 2022, rising by 36% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Silica Sand Production in Asia

In value terms, silica sand production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 5%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports in Asia

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -9.4% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand exports totaled $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +73.7% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Malaysia (X tons) represented the largest exporter of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), comprising 51% of total exports. Cambodia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 18% share, followed by Saudi Arabia (16%). Vietnam (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Kazakhstan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to silica sand exports from Malaysia stood at -1.1%. At the same time, Cambodia (+17.1%), Oman (+15.4%) and Saudi Arabia (+3.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cambodia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia, with a CAGR of +17.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Kazakhstan (-4.3%) and Vietnam (-14.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Cambodia, Saudi Arabia and Oman increased by +14, +4.9 and +2.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest silica sand supplying countries in Asia were Malaysia ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Oman ($X), together comprising 70% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +31.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a notable expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 57%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+14.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in Asia

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -1.8% to X tons in 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% 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 2021 when imports increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand imports soared to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% 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 +88.5% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 23%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

China was the major importer of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in Asia, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 37% of total imports in 2022. Japan (X tons) held a 10% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by South Korea (10%), Singapore (9.8%), Turkey (9.7%) and Bahrain (6.4%). The Philippines (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into China increased at an average annual rate of +37.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bahrain (+38.7%), the Philippines (+37.0%) and Turkey (+9.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Asia, with a CAGR of +38.7% from 2012-2022. 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 (+35 p.p.), Bahrain (+6.1 p.p.), Turkey (+4.8 p.p.) and the Philippines (+2.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of South Korea (-3.1 p.p.), Japan (-5.7 p.p.) and Singapore (-30.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in Asia, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 10% share.

In China, silica sand imports expanded at an average annual rate of +8.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (-2.7% per year) and Turkey (+14.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 20% against the previous year. Import price indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+5.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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