MERCOSUR: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in MERCOSUR

After two years of growth, the MERCOSUR silica sand market decreased by -3.2% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, silica sand production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a pronounced reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

For the fifth consecutive year, MERCOSUR recorded growth in shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), which increased by 763% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports posted a significant increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, silica sand exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 73%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Guyana prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 94% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Brazil (X tons) and Peru (X tons) - each recorded a 5.8% share of total exports.

Guyana experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands). At the same time, Peru (+11.5%) and Brazil (+8.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +11.5% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Guyana increased by +94 percentage points.

In value terms, Guyana ($X) emerged as the largest silica sand supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 19% share of total exports.

In Guyana, silica sand exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+3.6% per year) and Peru (+10.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, falling by -82.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a dramatic decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Guyana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (-0.9%).

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the amount of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) imported in MERCOSUR surged to X tons, with an increase of 23% against 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 105% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports enjoyed a moderate increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 183%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X tons) represented the major importer of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), generating 68% of total imports. Chile (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Peru (9.7%) and Brazil (5.2%). The following importers - Colombia (X tons) and Uruguay (X tons) - together made up 4.6% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to silica sand imports into Argentina stood at +14.3%. At the same time, Uruguay (+38.5%) and Brazil (+22.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uruguay emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +38.5% from 2012-2022. Chile experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Peru (-2.5%) and Colombia (-8.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Argentina (+32 p.p.), Brazil (+3.7 p.p.) and Uruguay (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Chile (-8.8 p.p.), Colombia (-11.3 p.p.) and Peru (-15.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in MERCOSUR, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Chile ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Peru, with an 11% share.

In Argentina, silica sand imports expanded at an average annual rate of +13.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Chile (+2.5% per year) and Peru (-4.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 9.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 63%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Uruguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+1.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform