Benelux: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Benelux

After two years of growth, the Benelux silica sand market decreased by -20.4% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption saw a noticeable curtailment. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Benelux

In value terms, silica sand production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports in Benelux

In 2022, the amount of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exported in Benelux rose notably to X tons, picking up by 7.8% against the previous year's figure. Total exports indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -9.8% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 56%. 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 declined to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports by Country

Belgium was the main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which recorded 64% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), creating a 36% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +3.1%).

In value terms, Belgium ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022.

Among the main exporting countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +0.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Benelux amounted to $X per ton, waning by -19.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a mild descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 25% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the Netherlands amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (-0.6%).

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in Benelux

In 2022, imports of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in Benelux declined to X tons, with a decrease of -5% against 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand imports declined to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 9.5%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Belgium (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) represented the main importers of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in Benelux, together amounting to approx. 88% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Luxembourg (X tons), achieving a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of -2.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, the largest silica sand importing markets in Benelux were the Netherlands ($X), Belgium ($X) and Luxembourg ($X).

Among the main importing countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of -0.9%, 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 a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Benelux stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -1.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the import prices remained at a 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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Luxembourg ($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 Netherlands (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform