Europe: Construction Sands Market 2024

Construction Sands Market Size in Europe

The Europe construction sands market dropped modestly to $X in 2022, falling by -3.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the market value increased by 5.3%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Construction Sands Production in Europe

In value terms, construction sands production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 5.5%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Construction Sands Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of construction sands increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports recorded tangible growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, construction sands exports rose modestly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands was the largest exporter of construction sands in Europe, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was near 56% of total exports in 2022. Germany (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by France (X tons). All these countries together held near 34% share of total exports. Belgium (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

The Netherlands was also the fastest-growing in terms of the construction sands exports, with a CAGR of +5.8% from 2012 to 2022. France and Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Belgium (-8.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Netherlands (+16 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Belgium (-4.9 p.p.) and Germany (-9.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest construction sands supplier in Europe, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the Netherlands totaled +5.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-2.5% per year) and France (-2.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -11.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the export price increased by 31% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Construction Sands Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2022, approx. X tons of construction sands were imported in Europe; with an increase of 2.4% on 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, construction sands imports fell to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Belgium represented the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which amounted to 47% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Switzerland (X tons) and Luxembourg (X tons), together mixing up a 31% share of total imports. France (X tons), Germany (X tons), Poland (X tons) and the UK (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Belgium decreased at an average annual rate of -3.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Poland (+39.1%), Luxembourg (+7.7%) and the UK (+4.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +39.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Switzerland (-2.1%), the Netherlands (-2.3%), Germany (-4.5%) and France (-11.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Luxembourg (+3 p.p.) and Poland (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Belgium and France saw its share reduced by -4% and -6.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest construction sands importing markets in Europe were Belgium ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Switzerland ($X), together accounting for 62% of total imports. France, the UK, Germany, Luxembourg and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +8.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -7.6% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 15%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 UK ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform