Natural sands market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Estonian natural sands market experienced substantial volatility in volume. Starting at 2.95 million t in 2018, consumption dipped to 2.73 million t in 2019 before rising to 3.15 million t in 2020. A sharp surge followed in 2021, when the market reached 4.85 million t, but it contracted by almost 30% to 3.40 million t in 2022. The market then recovered to 4.37 million t in 2023 and saw a slight increase to 4.44 million t in 2024.

The notable drop in 2022 coincided with stricter environmental controls. Amendments to the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (EU 2022/516) and the expansion of protected areas to cover 23% of Estonia's territory likely restricted sand extraction activities, reducing overall supply. The subsequent rebound in 2023 was supported by regulatory easing, including the simplification of environmental permit procedures and the reorganization of environmental governance, which improved access to resources.

By 2024, the market stabilized near the 4.4 million t level. Ongoing legislative developments, such as proposed updates to the Nature Conservation Act with stricter Natura assessment rules and provisions for invasive species control, continued to shape the operating environment for sand producers, maintaining a focus on environmental compliance.

Production natural sands in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's natural sands production has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 22 588 thousand US dollars, representing a significant increase of 50.9% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 64.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 18.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Estonia's natural sands production volume has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 4 845 thousand tonnes of natural sands, marking a substantial rise of 54.1% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 64.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 17.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 724 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.8% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports natural sands from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited notable volatility throughout the observed period. Exports peaked in 2020 at 5 672 tonnes, then dropped sharply to 1 254 tonnes in 2021, representing a 77.9% decrease from the previous year. This resulted in a 4.5-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2021. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a surge of 144.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the export market structure was highly concentrated, with Latvia accounting for 96.2% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated significant volatility over the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 64 thousand US dollars, then rebounded to 142 thousand US dollars in 2021, marking a sharp increase of 46.6% compared to 2020. This created a 5.8-fold variation between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 82.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a rise of 51.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the leading destinations for Estonia's natural sands exports in value terms were Latvia, with 57.0% of total exports, Kazakhstan at 19.4%, and Lithuania with 13.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 89.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2018-2021

Imports natural sands to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed considerable volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018, then surged to a peak of 10 330 tonnes in 2021, representing a 47.0% increase from the previous year. This resulted in a 3.1-fold variation between the maximum in 2021 and the minimum in 2018. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 30.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 201.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for natural sands imports to Estonia in volume terms were Europe, not elsewhere specified, with 42.4% of imports, Latvia at 23.5%, and Finland with 14.2%. Collectively, these three regions represented 80.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Estonia's imports of natural sands were valued at 1 015 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 30.1% increase from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 35.8%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets for Estonia's natural sands imports in value terms were Poland, Germany, and Belgium, which together accounted for 58.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2018-2021