United Kingdom: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in the UK

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the UK silica sand market, when its value decreased by -11.3% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in the UK

In value terms, silica sand production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 37%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports from the UK

Silica sand exports from the UK soared to X tons in 2022, picking up by 51% against the year before. In general, exports recorded a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 187%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silica sand exports totaled $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% 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 +39.3% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 49% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons), Nicaragua (X tons) and Norway (X tons) were the main destinations of silica sand exports from the UK, together accounting for 45% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Norway (with a CAGR of +57.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X) remains the key foreign market for silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) exports from the UK, comprising 26% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Norway ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Nicaragua, with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Ireland was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Norway (+33.3% per year) and Nicaragua (0.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average silica sand export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -26.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 141%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Norway ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Nicaragua ($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 Ireland (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), when their volume decreased by -49.8% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, saw resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 85% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then fell notably in the following year.

In value terms, silica sand imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 79%. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Belgium (X tons), Portugal (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of silica sand imports to the UK, together accounting for 70% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of +35.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) to the UK, comprising 36% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Germany totaled +19.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-1.8% per year) and the Netherlands (+11.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average silica sand import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 136% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded pronounced growth. 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 Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ireland (+19.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :