SADC: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in SADC

In 2022, the SADC silica sand market increased by 0.6% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in SADC

In value terms, silica sand production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -13.3% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand exports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a perceptible descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 87% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) was the main exporter of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), mixing up 76% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons), constituting a 17% share of total exports. Zimbabwe (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+7.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +7.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Zambia (-1.3%) and Tanzania (-17.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa and Zimbabwe increased by +42 and +2.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest silica sand supplier in SADC, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 2.6% share.

In South Africa, silica sand exports increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tanzania (-17.0% per year) and Zambia (-6.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, the export price, however, enjoyed a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+0.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in SADC

Silica sand imports reduced to X tons in 2022, declining by -11% on 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 46%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand imports rose to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -3.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 33%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Angola was the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which amounted to 39% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons), Botswana (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), together making up a 35% share of total imports. Mauritius (X tons), Lesotho (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Swaziland (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Angola increased at an average annual rate of +15.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mozambique (+19.7%), Lesotho (+11.1%), Namibia (+9.4%), Swaziland (+6.6%), Mauritius (+5.8%), Zimbabwe (+4.0%) and Botswana (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +19.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Democratic Republic of the Congo (-4.3%), Zambia (-6.1%), Tanzania (-6.3%) and South Africa (-7.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Angola (+28 p.p.), Mozambique (+3.4 p.p.) and Lesotho (+2.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Zambia, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania saw its share reduced by -3.1%, -4.4%, -8.4% and -18.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Angola ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in SADC, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 5% share of total imports. It was followed by Botswana, with a 4.9% share.

In Angola, silica sand imports increased at an average annual rate of +30.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tanzania (-10.3% per year) and Botswana (+9.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Import price indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, silica sand import price increased by +4.5% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the import price increased by 24%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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 Angola ($X per ton), while Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Angola (+13.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform