Slovenia: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Slovenia

In 2022, the Slovene silica sand market decreased by -1.7% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, the total consumption indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -5.2% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Production in Slovenia

In value terms, silica sand production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +23.0% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 68%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from Slovenia

Silica sand exports from Slovenia rose to X tons in 2022, with an increase of 3.2% compared with the previous year. Overall, exports showed a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 59%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand exports declined slightly to $X in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a strong increase 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. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +27.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons) was the main destination for silica sand exports from Slovenia, with a 64% share of total exports. Moreover, silica sand exports to Italy exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Croatia (X tons), twofold. Austria (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Italy totaled +9.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Croatia (+4.1% per year) and Austria (+45.6% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X), Croatia ($X) and Austria ($X) constituted the largest markets for silica sand exported from Slovenia worldwide, together accounting for 93% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Austria, with a CAGR of +45.8%, 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 average silica sand export price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -4.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a mild setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Serbia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($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 Serbia (+17.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into Slovenia

In 2022, the amount of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) imported into Slovenia was estimated at X tons, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, imports recorded a temperate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand imports reached $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% 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 -13.3% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 23% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Serbia (X tons) constituted the largest silica sand supplier to Slovenia, accounting for a 80% share of total imports. Moreover, silica sand imports from Serbia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Hungary (X tons), more than tenfold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Serbia amounted to +42.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Hungary (+20.4% per year) and Germany (-9.5% per year).

In value terms, Serbia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) to Slovenia, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Serbia totaled +39.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-6.2% per year) and Italy (+21.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average silica sand import price amounted to $X per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 34% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Croatia (+3.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform