Australia and Oceania: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Australia and Oceania

In 2022, the silica sand market in Australia and Oceania increased by 40% to $X, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption recorded significant growth. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Australia and Oceania

In value terms, silica sand production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, posted a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 237%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports in Australia and Oceania

In 2022, overseas shipments of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by 99.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after five years of growth. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a significant curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand exports contracted significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a dramatic setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 21%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

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

New Zealand was also the fastest-growing in terms of the silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exports, with a CAGR of +20.7% from 2012 to 2022. New Zealand (+100 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, New Zealand ($X) also remains the largest silica sand supplier in Australia and Oceania.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in New Zealand stood at +22.5%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Australia and Oceania stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 588% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate buoyant growth. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for New Zealand.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for New Zealand amounted to +1.5% per year.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in Australia and Oceania

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -9.4% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports recorded a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 124%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded pronounced growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 102% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

New Zealand was the major importer of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in Australia and Oceania, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 81% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Australia (X tons), achieving a 10% share of total imports. The following importers - Guam (X tons) and Kiribati (X tons) - together made up 5.7% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to silica sand imports into New Zealand stood at -6.5%. At the same time, Guam (+40.8%), Kiribati (+9.6%) and Australia (+6.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guam emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Australia and Oceania, with a CAGR of +40.8% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Australia, Guam and Kiribati increased by +7.1, +3.4 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, New Zealand ($X), Australia ($X) and Guam ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 94% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Guam, with a CAGR of +23.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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 Australia and Oceania amounted to $X per ton, surging by 52% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 96%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Australia ($X per ton), while Kiribati ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by New Zealand (+6.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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