Australia: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Australia

The Australian silica sand market soared to $X in 2022, picking up by 460% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate significant growth. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Silica Sand Production in Australia

In value terms, silica sand production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +61.3% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 37%. Silica sand production peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was decline in shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), when their volume decreased by -0.7% to X tons. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +85.6% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand exports reduced slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +37.6% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Exports by Country

China (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) and Japan (X tons) were the main destinations of silica sand exports from Australia, with a combined 73% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +54.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for silica sand exported from Australia were China ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and Japan ($X), together accounting for 69% of total exports.

China, with a CAGR of +50.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average silica sand export price amounted to $X per ton, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 3.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to South Korea ($X per ton) and Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Philippines ($X per ton) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Korea (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2022, overseas purchases of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -58.3% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, recorded resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 402% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand imports reached $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 265% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Greece (X tons), China (X tons) and India (X tons) were the main suppliers of silica sand imports to Australia, with a combined 87% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +534.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) to Australia, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Greece ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China stood at +27.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Greece (+72.8% per year) and the United States (-4.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average silica sand import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 165% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a resilient increase. As a result, import price attained 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 the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Greece ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Greece (+78.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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