Western Africa: Silica Sand Market 2024

Silica Sand Market Size in Western Africa

The West African silica sand market amounted to $X in 2022, surging by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Silica Sand Production in Western Africa

In value terms, silica sand production expanded modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 276% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silica Sand Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) decreased by -70.5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 915%. The volume of export 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 soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, posted a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 604%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mauritania was the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 60% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), committing a 36% share of total exports. Senegal (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (with a CAGR of +2.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Mauritania ($X) emerged as the largest silica sand supplier in Western Africa, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Cote d'Ivoire ($X), with a 5.7% share of total exports.

In Mauritania, silica sand exports decreased by an average annual rate of -5.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Cote d'Ivoire (-14.6% per year) and Senegal (+9.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 855% against the previous year. Overall, the export price enjoyed a measured expansion. Over the period under review, the 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 origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Senegal ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritania (+26.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Silica Sand Imports

Imports in Western Africa

Silica sand imports surged to X tons in 2022, picking up by 74% on the previous year's figure. Overall, imports showed a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 90% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, silica sand imports fell slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 58% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (X tons) represented the largest importer of silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands), making up 49% of total imports. Senegal (X tons) took a 21% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Ghana (7.6%). Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Togo (X tons) and Mauritania (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha was also the fastest-growing in terms of the silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) imports, with a CAGR of +44.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Togo (+36.5%), Burkina Faso (+15.0%), Ghana (+11.5%), Senegal (+5.2%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Mauritania (-4.5%) and Nigeria (-8.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (+46 p.p.) and Togo (+2.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Cote d'Ivoire (-4.9 p.p.), Mauritania (-6.5 p.p.), Senegal (-13.7 p.p.) and Nigeria (-19.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Senegal ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported silica sands (quartz sands or industrial sands) in Western Africa, comprising 32% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Cote d'Ivoire ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, with a 12% share.

In Senegal, silica sand imports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Cote d'Ivoire (-2.4% per year) and Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (+38.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -44.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 8.4%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritania (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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