Australia: Construction Sands Market 2024

Construction Sands Market Size in Australia

In 2022, the Australian construction sands market decreased by -21.2% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, consumption, however, recorded a strong increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

Construction Sands Production in Australia

In value terms, construction sands production fell markedly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, posted prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 75%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then fell notably in the following year.

Construction Sands Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2022, approx. X tons of construction sands were exported from Australia; falling by -78% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 2,301% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

In value terms, construction sands exports fell dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a precipitous setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 592%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons), the UK (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of construction sands exports from Australia, with a combined 21% share of total exports. Spain, Norway, Germany, Finland and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 5.7%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +36.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Italy ($X), the UK ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the largest markets for construction sands exported from Australia worldwide, with a combined 24% share of total exports. Spain, Norway, Germany, Finland and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 8.6%.

Among the main countries of destination, Spain, with a CAGR of +6.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average construction sands export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a precipitous decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average export price increased by 189% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Norway ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Thailand (-14.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Construction Sands Imports

Imports into Australia

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of construction sands decreased by -37.6% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a tangible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 133% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, construction sands imports reduced to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, posted a moderate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 107% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, New Zealand (X tons) constituted the largest construction sands supplier to Australia, accounting for a 70% share of total imports. Moreover, construction sands imports from New Zealand exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), fivefold. The United States (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from New Zealand totaled +11.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+8.5% per year) and the United States (-16.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($X), the United States ($X) and New Zealand ($X) appeared to be the largest construction sands suppliers to Australia, with a combined 91% share of total imports. Germany lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 5.3%.

Among the main suppliers, Germany, with a CAGR of +31.5%, saw 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 average construction sands import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for New Zealand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+12.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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