Portugal: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Portugal

The Portuguese silica sand market contracted to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -6.2% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a deep downturn. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Production in Portugal

In value terms, silica sand production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 26%. Silica sand production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from Portugal

For the fifth year in a row, Portugal recorded growth in shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), which increased by 5.6% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 108% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, silica sand exports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. In general, exports enjoyed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 42%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons) was the main destination for silica sand exports from Portugal, accounting for a 49% share of total exports. Moreover, silica sand exports to Italy exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Spain (X tons), fourfold. Greece (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Italy amounted to +19.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+10.0% per year) and Greece (+39.5% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X), Spain ($X) and Morocco ($X) were the largest markets for silica sand exported from Portugal worldwide, with a combined 70% share of total exports. Turkey, Greece and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

Among the main countries of destination, Turkey, with a CAGR of +38.7%, saw the highest growth rate of 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

The average silica sand export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, silica sand export price increased by +23.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average export price increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($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 Spain (+9.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Portugal

In 2022, the amount of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) imported into Portugal surged to X tons, with an increase of 49% against 2021. In general, imports enjoyed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 61%. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, silica sand imports fell dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 48%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Spain (X tons) was the main silica sand supplier to Portugal, accounting for a 99% share of total imports. It was followed by Belgium (X tons), with a 1.1% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Spain totaled +27.0%.

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) to Portugal, comprising 93% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 3.8% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Spain totaled +12.2%.

Import Prices by Country

The average silica sand import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -47.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 135%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 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 Belgium ($X per ton), while the price for Spain stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+2.5%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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