Central Asia: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Central Asia

After two years of growth, the Central Asian silica sand market decreased by -6.6% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Silica Sand Production in Central Asia

In value terms, silica sand production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a slight slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports in Central Asia

After three years of growth, shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -1.2% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 60%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand exports expanded modestly to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Kazakhstan dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was near 93% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Kyrgyzstan (X tons), generating a 6.5% share of total exports.

Exports from Kazakhstan decreased at an average annual rate of -4.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan (+5.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kyrgyzstan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Central Asia, with a CAGR of +5.2% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Kyrgyzstan increased by +3.9 percentage points.

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) remains the largest silica sand supplier in Central Asia, comprising 93% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kyrgyzstan ($X), with a 6.9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Kazakhstan totaled -7.1%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Central Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 2.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a noticeable shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Kyrgyzstan ($X per ton), while Kazakhstan totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kyrgyzstan (+10.5%).

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in Central Asia

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), when their volume decreased by -32.1% to X tons. Total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 75% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand imports fell to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +19.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 54%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Imports by Country

Kyrgyzstan was the key importer of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in Central Asia, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 76% of total imports in 2022. Uzbekistan (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Kazakhstan (X tons). All these countries together took near 22% share of total imports. Mongolia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Kyrgyzstan increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kazakhstan (+16.5%) and Uzbekistan (+5.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kazakhstan emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Central Asia, with a CAGR of +16.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Mongolia (-10.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan increased by +5.5 and +5.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Kyrgyzstan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in Central Asia, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kazakhstan ($X), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by Uzbekistan, with a 20% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Kyrgyzstan amounted to +4.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kazakhstan (+5.2% per year) and Uzbekistan (+12.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Central Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 30% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a pronounced downturn. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, 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 Kazakhstan ($X per ton), while Kyrgyzstan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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