Latin America and the Caribbean: Natural Sand Market 2022

Natural Sand Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American natural sand market reached $X in 2021, increasing by 3% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a mild reduction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Natural Sand Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, natural sand production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 6.7% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Natural Sand Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Natural sand exports surged to X tons in 2021, picking up by 18% compared with 2020 figures. In general, exports saw prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, natural sand exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Mexico was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which recorded 75% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Guyana (X tons) and Colombia (X tons), together achieving an 18% share of total exports. The Dominican Republic (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Exports from Mexico increased at an average annual rate of +10.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Guyana (+78.2%) and Colombia (+6.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guyana emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +78.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, the Dominican Republic (-7.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Guyana (+13 p.p.) and Mexico (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Colombia and the Dominican Republic saw its share reduced by -1.9% and -10.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest natural sand supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Guyana, with a 9.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mexico totaled +12.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Colombia (+13.8% per year) and Guyana (+52.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 5.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the export price increased by 15%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Colombia ($X per ton), while Mexico ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (+7.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Natural Sand Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of natural sands, when their volume increased by 90% to X tons. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural sand imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a noticeable slump. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Mexico dominates imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 72% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Grenada (X tons), achieving a 4.9% share of total imports. Argentina (X tons), Turks and Caicos Islands (X tons) and Costa Rica (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of natural sands. At the same time, Costa Rica (+29.4%), Grenada (+28.7%), Turks and Caicos Islands (+16.8%) and Argentina (+6.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Costa Rica emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +29.4% from 2012-2021. While the share of Grenada (+4.4 p.p.), Turks and Caicos Islands (+2.5 p.p.), Argentina (+1.7 p.p.) and Costa Rica (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Mexico (-4.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported natural sands in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Argentina ($X), with a 7.3% share of total imports. It was followed by Costa Rica, with a 2.2% share.

In Mexico, natural sand imports contracted by an average annual rate of -3.3% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+4.0% per year) and Costa Rica (+17.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -20.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the import price increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Turks and Caicos Islands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turks and Caicos Islands (+3.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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