South Africa: Silica Sand Market 2025

Silica Sand Market Size in South Africa

After two years of decline, the South African silica sand market increased by 1% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Production in South Africa

In value terms, silica sand production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 28% against the previous year. Silica sand production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -17% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after five years of growth. In general, exports, however, showed a slight increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 53%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand exports declined remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a modest expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 126% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Lesotho (X tons), Botswana (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) were the main destinations of silica sand exports from South Africa, together comprising 70% of total exports. Mozambique, Zambia, Swaziland, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha and Angola lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (with a CAGR of +86.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), Botswana ($X) and Mozambique ($X) were the largest markets for silica sand exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 55% share of total exports. Zambia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha and Angola lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, with a CAGR of +62.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination 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, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average export price increased by 48%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($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 Angola (+23.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, silica sand imports into South Africa dropped significantly to X tons, which is down by -78.7% compared with the previous year. In general, imports saw a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 292%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silica sand imports shrank dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 102% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Belgium (X tons), China (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of silica sand imports to South Africa, together comprising 89% of total imports. The United States, the UK, Spain and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 8.4%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +21.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), China ($X) and Belgium ($X) appeared to be the largest silica sand suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 75% share of total imports. The United States, Germany, the UK and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

Among the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +17.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average silica sand import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 278% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+14.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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