U.S.: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in the U.S.

In 2022, the U.S. silica sand market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value 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, consumption decreased by -28.7% against 2018 indices. Silica sand consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Production in the U.S.

In value terms, silica sand production rose notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a buoyant expansion 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, production decreased by -21.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2022, shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) increased by 18% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, total exports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% 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 +55.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 69%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% 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 +26.2% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 47%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Canada (X tons) was the main destination for silica sand exports from the United States, accounting for a 83% share of total exports. Moreover, silica sand exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Japan (X tons), more than tenfold. Mexico (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Canada amounted to +7.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (+2.8% per year) and Mexico (-9.1% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for silica sand exported from the United States were Canada ($X), China ($X) and Japan ($X), together comprising 82% of total exports.

Japan, with a CAGR of +8.8%, saw 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

The average silica sand export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its price 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. Based on 2022 figures, silica sand export price decreased by -12.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average export price increased by 51% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Canada ($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 Mexico (+7.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into the U.S.

In 2022, supplies from abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -14.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 75% against the previous year. 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 skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 88%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Canada (X tons) constituted the largest silica sand supplier to the United States, with a 82% share of total imports. Moreover, silica sand imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam (X tons), tenfold. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Canada amounted to -3.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (-2.6% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+28.9% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($X) constituted the largest supplier of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) to the United States, comprising 30% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Canada amounted to -1.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+24.1% per year) and Brazil (+3.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average silica sand import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% 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 +85.0% against 2017 indices. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+7.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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