Kenya: Silica Sand Market 2025

Silica Sand Market Size in Kenya

In 2022, the Kenyan silica sand market decreased by -2.2% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a tangible increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Kenya

In value terms, silica sand production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 80%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2022, the amount of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exported from Kenya expanded modestly to X tons, growing by 1.8% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 139% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand exports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 120%. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Uganda (X tons) was the main destination for silica sand exports from Kenya, with a 74% share of total exports. Moreover, silica sand exports to Uganda exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Tanzania (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Uganda amounted to +7.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (+12.2% per year) and Rwanda (-10.2% per year).

In value terms, Uganda ($X) remains the key foreign market for silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exports from Kenya, comprising 75% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with a 17% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Uganda stood at +9.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (+9.0% per year) and Rwanda (-13.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average silica sand export price amounted to $X per ton, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average export price increased by 107% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Rwanda ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Tanzania ($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 Uganda (+1.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Kenya

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), when their volume decreased by -32.9% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, recorded a modest expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 1,770% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand imports contracted markedly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 198% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, India (X tons) constituted the largest silica sand supplier to Kenya, accounting for a 40% share of total imports. Moreover, silica sand imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Pakistan (X tons), twofold. The United States (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from India stood at -1.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Pakistan (-1.5% per year) and the United States (+71.2% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and India ($X) appeared to be the largest silica sand suppliers to Kenya, with a combined 75% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, the United States, with a CAGR of +47.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average silica sand import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 755%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+3.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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