Bulgaria: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian silica sand market fell to $X in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a pronounced slump. Silica sand consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, silica sand production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 78%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2022, shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -3% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% 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 2013 when exports increased by 48%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand exports rose notably to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 37%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Romania (X tons) was the main destination for silica sand exports from Bulgaria, accounting for a 72% share of total exports. Moreover, silica sand exports to Romania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Turkey (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Romania amounted to +3.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+18.6% per year) and Greece (-1.4% per year).

In value terms, Romania ($X) remains the key foreign market for silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exports from Bulgaria, comprising 76% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Turkey ($X), with a 23% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Romania stood at +4.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+18.5% per year) and Greece (-5.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average silica sand export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Greece ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Turkey ($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 Romania (+0.9%).

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2022, purchases abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -23.7% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, imports showed a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand imports declined to $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -16.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 45%. Imports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Serbia (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of silica sand to Bulgaria, accounting for a 45% share of total imports. Moreover, silica sand imports from Serbia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), threefold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Serbia stood at -13.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+7.8% per year) and Germany (+1.9% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X), Serbia ($X) and Romania ($X) were the largest silica sand suppliers to Bulgaria, with a combined 68% share of total imports. France, Ukraine, Spain and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +37.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average silica sand import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 116% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Serbia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Serbia (+12.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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