Natural sands market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The natural sands market in Greece operated under a stable regulatory framework that licensed extraction from riverbeds and quarries, supporting a gradual increase in market volume from 3.3 million tons in 2018 to 3.7 million tons in 2021.

Market volume nearly doubled to 6.6 million tons in 2022 and continued growing to 7.4 million tons in 2023. By 2024, it reached 7.6 million tons, bolstered by rising demand due to environmental restrictions and the implementation of the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) in June 2024, which affected industrial material standards.

Production natural sands in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Greece's natural sands production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 20 742 K $ US, marking a modest 7.8% rise compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 18 961 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 16.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Greece's natural sands production volume rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, 3 459 K t were produced, showing a 6.2% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 12.7%, with a CAGR of -4.4%. The minimum volume was 3 196 K t in 2018, which experienced the steepest drop of 19.3%.

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

Exports natural sands from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 at 30.9 K t and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 46-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Greece exported 1.2 K t of natural sands, a sharp 26.6% decrease from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 94.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 4 533.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Oman was the primary destination for Greece's natural sands exports in volume terms, accounting for 84.7% of the total. Other destinations played a much smaller role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values displayed an unstable trend over the timeframe. They reached a maximum in 2018 at 686 K $ US and a minimum in 2017, with a 3.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 486 K $ US, representing an 83.7% year-on-year increase. The largest decline was in 2019 at 61.4%, while the largest rise was in 2018 at 287.1%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the main destinations for Greece's natural sands exports by value were Cyprus (22.8%), Oman (19.6%), and Portugal (16.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 59.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports natural sands to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

Greece's imports of natural sands declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 91.5 K t, a 9.1% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 13%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of natural sands to Greece were primarily sourced from Portugal and Egypt, which together made up 80.5% of total volume. Other origins had a secondary impact.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Greece imported natural sands worth 6 133 K $ US, reflecting a slight 2.7% year-on-year decline. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 421 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 6 305 K $ US. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 11.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 16.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the key partners for Greece's natural sands imports by value were Portugal (24.5%), Egypt (24.4%), and Germany (10.6%). These three countries combined accounted for 59.5% of total import flows.

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

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