MENA: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in MENA

The MENA's silica sand market soared to $X in 2022, surging by 227% against the previous year. In general, consumption posted a strong expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Silica Sand Production in MENA

In value terms, silica sand production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a slight decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports in MENA

For the fourth year in a row, MENA recorded growth in overseas shipments of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), which increased by 3.2% to X tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Saudi Arabia (X tons), distantly followed by Egypt (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Oman (X tons) represented the key exporters of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), together making up 96% of total exports. The following exporters - the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) - each reached a 3.3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +15.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X), Oman ($X) and Tunisia ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 85% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +31.8%, saw 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

In 2022, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, surging by 5.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a moderate increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by 74% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+14.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, supplies from abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -12.7% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 21%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 49%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) represented the major importer of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), constituting 46% of total imports. Bahrain (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Israel (X tons). All these countries together took near 46% share of total imports. The following importers - Morocco (X tons) and Algeria (X tons) - together made up 5% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bahrain (with a CAGR of +38.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in MENA, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kuwait ($X), with an 8.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Bahrain, with a 6.1% share.

In Turkey, silica sand imports expanded at an average annual rate of +14.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kuwait (+16.7% per year) and Bahrain (+11.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 32% against the previous year. Import price indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+10.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform