Market research

Natural sands market in Ireland

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the natural sands market in Ireland experienced significant volatility. The initial period was supported by a well-established quarrying industry with approximately 350 commercial quarries supplying sand for construction, adhering to strict quality standards. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a market contraction to $37.2 million, but a severe residential property shortage and strong mortgage demand drove a sharp recovery in 2021, lifting the market size to $50.3 million.

After the 2021 peak, the market stabilized in 2022 at $49.9 million amid population growth exceeding 5 million and a global sand shortage, which intensified focus on sustainable extraction practices. A sharp downturn followed in 2023, with the market falling to $34.1 million, before rebounding to $48.8 million in 2024 against a backdrop of tourism infrastructure investment like the Wild Atlantic Way, highlighting the economic value of sand dune ecosystems and influencing resource management considerations.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In value
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2024
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2024
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Ireland
  1. 5.1.1. In kind, 2018-2021, 2024, K t
  2. 5.1.2. In value, 2018-2024, K $ US
2. 5.2. Production in the EU, 2018-2024
  1. 5.2.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K t
  2. 5.2.2. In value, 2018-2024, K $ US
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ireland, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ireland, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ireland, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ireland, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Ireland by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production natural sands in Ireland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Ireland's natural sands production experienced a decline in 2020 after two years of growth. The output was valued at 33 779 K $ US, marking a significant decrease of 14.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 39 267 K $ US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 13.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.9%	8.8%	(14.0%)	2.1%

Source: SHEV.io

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Ireland produced 2 423 K t of natural sands, representing a 10.6% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 982 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 710 K t. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 15.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 36.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.0%)	36.7%	(10.6%)	1.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports natural sands from Ireland

Exports in kind, K t

Natural sands exports from Ireland increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 27.6 K t, which was 31.3% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 62.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.9%	16.6%	31.3%	17.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland's natural sands exports were heavily dependent on the United Kingdom, which accounted for 98.3% of total export volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Natural sands exports from Ireland increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, with a value of 2 176 K $ US, up 36.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 62.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 17.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 226 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual decline of 8.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.4%)	30.1%	36.5%	17.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Spain were the main destinations for Ireland's natural sands exports in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 67.3% of exports, the Netherlands for 6.5%, and Spain for 5.2%, together representing 78.9% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports natural sands to Ireland

Imports in kind, K t

Natural sands imports into Ireland declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with volumes reaching 110.1 K t, a sharp decrease of 23.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 23.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 8.5%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 165.2 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.9%	(12.9%)	(23.5%)	(8.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Kingdom dominated Ireland's natural sands import structure, consistently accounting for 96.2% of total import volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Natural sands imports into Ireland declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with a value of 5 612 K $ US, down 10.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 33.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 317 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 50.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	50.7%	(1.3%)	(10.0%)	10.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the dominant supplier of natural sands to Ireland, accounting for 72.6% of total import value, with other countries sharing the remaining portion.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io