Western Africa: Natural Sand Market 2022

Natural Sand Market Size in Western Africa

After four years of decline, the West African natural sand market increased by 4% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a perceptible descent. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Natural Sand Production in Western Africa

In value terms, natural sand production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a perceptible descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Natural Sand Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of natural sands decreased by -3.4% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after three years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a perceptible decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 31%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, natural sand exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 76%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Gambia (X tons) represented the key exporter of natural sands, constituting 73% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Senegal (X tons) and Mauritania (X tons), together achieving a 23% share of total exports. Nigeria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Gambia decreased at an average annual rate of -4.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Mauritania (+121.8%) and Senegal (+14.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +121.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Nigeria (-12.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Senegal (+13 p.p.) and Mauritania (+5.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Nigeria (-4.1 p.p.) and Gambia (-11.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Senegal ($X) emerged as the largest natural sand supplier in Western Africa, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Gambia ($X), with a 26% share of total exports. It was followed by Mauritania, with a 5.6% share.

In Senegal, natural sand exports increased at an average annual rate of +21.4% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Gambia (-3.7% per year) and Mauritania (+105.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 47% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 66%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Senegal ($X per ton), while Gambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+6.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Natural Sand Imports

Imports in Western Africa

Natural sand imports soared to X tons in 2021, increasing by 21% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 65%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural sand imports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a noticeable curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 65%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Cabo Verde was the major importer of natural sands in Western Africa, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 58% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Mauritania (X tons), Senegal (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons), together constituting a 28% share of total imports. The following importers - Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) - each recorded a 5.8% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to natural sand imports into Cabo Verde stood at -6.8%. At the same time, Mauritania (+34.0%), Cote d'Ivoire (+15.9%) and Senegal (+5.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +34.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Ghana (-8.5%) and Nigeria (-14.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mauritania (+11 p.p.), Senegal (+5.2 p.p.) and Cote d'Ivoire (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Cabo Verde and Nigeria saw its share reduced by -11.1% and -12% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest natural sand importing markets in Western Africa were Mauritania ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Senegal ($X), with a combined 60% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Mauritania, with a CAGR of +55.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, waning by -5% against the previous year. Import price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, natural sand import price increased by +84.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the import price increased by 55% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Cabo Verde ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritania (+16.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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