Slovakia: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Slovakia

In 2022, the Slovak silica sand market decreased by -32.9% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a noticeable slump. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

Silica Sand Production in Slovakia

In value terms, silica sand production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 22% 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 from Slovakia

For the third year in a row, Slovakia recorded growth in shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), which increased by 31% to X tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, silica sand exports soared to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Czech Republic (X tons) was the main destination for silica sand exports from Slovakia, with a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, silica sand exports to the Czech Republic exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Croatia (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Hungary (X tons), with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Czech Republic totaled +3.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Croatia (+1.0% per year) and Hungary (+18.0% per year).

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) remains the key foreign market for silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exports from Slovakia, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Hungary ($X), with a 23% share of total exports. It was followed by Austria, with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Czech Republic totaled +3.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hungary (+21.1% per year) and Austria (+71.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average silica sand export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 16%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Croatia ($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 Hungary (+2.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Slovakia

In 2022, overseas purchases of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -54.1% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, recorded modest growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then fell notably in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand imports fell rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 44%. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Czech Republic (X tons) constituted the largest silica sand supplier to Slovakia, with a 42% share of total imports. Moreover, silica sand imports from the Czech Republic exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Poland (X tons), threefold. Hungary (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Czech Republic amounted to -5.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+2.0% per year) and Hungary (+76.5% per year).

In value terms, the largest silica sand suppliers to Slovakia were the Czech Republic ($X), Germany ($X) and Poland ($X), together accounting for 79% of total imports. These countries were followed by Hungary, which accounted for a further 2.4%.

Hungary, with a CAGR of +56.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average silica sand import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 30% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+10.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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