Malaysia: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Malaysia

After two years of decline, the Malaysian silica sand market increased by 16% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption, however, saw a abrupt decline. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Production in Malaysia

In value terms, silica sand production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from Malaysia

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), when their volume decreased by -17.4% to X tons. In general, exports showed a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 53% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand exports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +60.5% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

China (X tons), Singapore (X tons) and India (X tons) were the main destinations of silica sand exports from Malaysia, with a combined 91% share of total exports. Japan, Taiwan (Chinese), the Philippines and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 8.4%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +128.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exports from Malaysia, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Singapore ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to China stood at +39.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Singapore (-15.7% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+13.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average silica sand export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price enjoyed a notable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average export price increased by 102% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to India ($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 the Philippines (+9.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Malaysia

In 2022, purchases abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -25.4% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, recorded prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 182%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell markedly in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand imports fell markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 107% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then fell significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of silica sand to Malaysia, with a 71% share of total imports. Moreover, silica sand imports from Taiwan (Chinese) exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Australia (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by China (X tons), with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Taiwan (Chinese) amounted to +26.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Australia (+7.4% per year) and China (+7.7% per year).

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) constituted the largest supplier of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) to Malaysia, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Australia ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Taiwan (Chinese) stood at +11.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Australia (+6.3% per year) and China (+4.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average silica sand import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 29%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while the price for Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cambodia (+10.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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