Italy: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Italy

The Italian silica sand market dropped slightly to $X in 2022, waning by -2.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the market value increased by 9.3% against the previous year. Silica sand consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Italy

In value terms, silica sand production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. Silica sand production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from Italy

In 2022, overseas shipments of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -17.7% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand exports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Malta (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Switzerland (X tons) were the main destinations of silica sand exports from Italy, together comprising 50% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Malta (with a CAGR of +53.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X), France ($X) and Malta ($X) were the largest markets for silica sand exported from Italy worldwide, with a combined 30% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Malta, with a CAGR of +32.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average silica sand export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a mild decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average export price increased by 28%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Malta ($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 Israel (+14.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Italy

In 2022, supplies from abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -3.8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand imports expanded notably to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a pronounced 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, imports increased by +28.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Tunisia (X tons), Portugal (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of silica sand imports to Italy, together comprising 76% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of +19.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Tunisia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) to Italy, comprising 32% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Portugal ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Tunisia amounted to +5.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Portugal (+22.4% per year) and France (+7.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average silica sand import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 9.7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 10% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+3.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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