Germany: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Germany

The German silica sand market contracted to $X in 2022, dropping by -6.6% against the previous year. Overall, the total consumption indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +9.3% against 2020 indices. Silica sand consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Germany

In value terms, silica sand production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% 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 +10.0% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 20%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from Germany

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -6.5% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand exports shrank to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period 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 2021 when exports increased by 30% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Switzerland (X tons) were the main destinations of silica sand exports from Germany, with a combined 56% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +20.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Italy ($X), Switzerland ($X) and Austria ($X) constituted the largest markets for silica sand exported from Germany worldwide, with a combined 34% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Italy, with a CAGR of +5.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average silica sand export price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -3.2% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 28%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell slightly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Luxembourg ($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 Hungary (+18.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Germany

In 2022, overseas purchases of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -3.6% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, total imports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% 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 +38.5% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand imports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of silica sand to Germany, accounting for a 44% share of total imports. Moreover, silica sand imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), twofold. Poland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Netherlands totaled +2.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+3.4% per year) and Poland (+33.8% per year).

In value terms, the largest silica sand suppliers to Germany were the Netherlands ($X), Belgium ($X) and Denmark ($X), with a combined 27% share of total imports. France, Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 13%.

Among the main suppliers, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +33.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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, rising by 8.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a mild slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average import price increased by 32%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Denmark ($X per ton), while the price for France ($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 (+7.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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