Natural sands market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian natural sands market saw a contraction between 2018 and 2020, with volume falling from 4.9 million tonnes to 4.0 million tonnes. During this phase, intensive sand extraction faced growing constraints as limited deposits and competing land use for settlements and protected areas increased supply risks. By 2020, extraction became further restricted by nature and landscape protection zones, directly reducing available supply.

A recovery in 2021 pushed volume to 4.6 million tonnes, driven by rising demand from energy technologies such as heat pumps, photovoltaics, and wind power, which boosted sand needs for infrastructure projects. The presence of major producer Rohrdorfer, operating 23 plants across Austria, supported production during this upturn. However, volume slipped to 4.2 million tonnes in 2022 as sand and gravel production fell by approximately 4%, reflecting persistent extraction limits and land-access difficulties.

The market contracted sharply to 3.5 million tonnes in 2023 amid ongoing area scarcity and protection regulations. The 'Masterplan Rohstoffe 2030', published at the end of 2021, aimed to identify conflict-free deposits to secure future supply, but immediate bottlenecks continued. A partial rebound to 3.9 million tonnes occurred in 2024, though supply risks from limited mining areas and rising demand remained unresolved.

Production natural sands in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Austria's natural sands production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 53 422 thousand US dollars, marking a 7.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 2.6%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 63 376 thousand US dollars, which represented a 15.5% increase from the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 9.0% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Austria's natural sands production volume fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 449 thousand tonnes, a significant 13.3% decline compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 30.7%, translating to an average annual decrease of 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports natural sands from Austria

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Austria's natural sands exports totaled 246.3 thousand tonnes, a 22.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 22.3%, with an average annual decline of 8.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 318.1 thousand tonnes, which was a 10.5% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Austria's natural sands exports in volume terms were dominated by Switzerland and Germany, which together accounted for 92.7% of total flows, with other markets making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Austria's natural sands exports were valued at 7 735 thousand US dollars, a sharp 10.7% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 7.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 665 thousand US dollars, representing a 7.2% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy were the main destinations for Austria's natural sands exports in value terms. Germany accounted for 43.3% of exports, Switzerland for 33.3%, and Italy for 3.8%, together making up 80.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020

Imports natural sands to Austria

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Austria's natural sands imports reached 771.6 thousand tonnes, a substantial 12.5% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 21.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 7.8%. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, with an 18.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 9.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, Czechia, and Hungary were the key partners for Austria's natural sands imports in volume terms. Germany made up 45.9% of imports, Czechia 32.8%, and Hungary 13.0%, together representing 91.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Austria's natural sands imports declined in 2020, amounting to 24 307 thousand US dollars, a moderate 6.4% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 3.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The peak was in 2019 at 25 956 thousand US dollars, which was a 2.3% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Czechia, and Hungary formed the core group for Austria's natural sands imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 66.5% of imports, Czechia for 7.1%, and Hungary for 5.9%, together making up 79.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020