Silica and quartz sands market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German silica and quartz sands market contracted from 7.8 million tons to 7.1 million tons. Germany's extensive high-quality quartz sand deposits have historically supported domestic supply and exports, with annual extraction around 10.4 million tons in 2014.

The market recovered strongly in 2021 and 2022, reaching 8.0 million tons and then 9.3 million tons. The growth in 2022 was primarily driven by renewed demand from the construction sector and industrial applications like glass manufacturing and foundries, as building activity rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic.

After peaking in 2022, market volume fell to 8.7 million tons in 2023 and stabilized at 8.5 million tons in 2024. In value terms, the market continued to grow, reaching $274 million in 2024, indicating higher prices or a shift toward more valuable products.

Production silica and quartz sands in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of silica and quartz sands declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 211.7 million US dollars, representing a 1.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 14.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 215.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production volume of silica and quartz sands declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 7 624 thousand tonnes were produced, marking a 7.1% reduction from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 6.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.2%. The peak was reached in 2018 with 8 775 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 7.6%.

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

Exports silica and quartz sands from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Silica and quartz sands exports from Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 1 014 thousand tonnes, indicating a 30.0% reduction compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 38.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland were the largest contributors to Germany's exports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 41.0% of exports, France for 20.3%, and Switzerland for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented 70.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's silica and quartz sands exports reached 67 881 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 9.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 62 197 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 9.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 68 834 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 10.2%.

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

An analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Switzerland accounted for 14.2% of exports, the Netherlands for 13.5%, and the United Kingdom for 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 37.8% of total flows, with the remaining 62.2% distributed among other partners.

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

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

Imports silica and quartz sands to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year advance, Germany's volume of silica and quartz sands imports declined. In 2020, imports totalled 539 thousand tonnes, which is 10.4% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 7.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 602 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France formed the main group of sources for Germany's imports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 31.9% of imports, Belgium for 20.3%, and France for 15.5%. Together, these three countries represented 67.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Germany imported 64 100 thousand US dollars worth of silica and quartz sands, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 63 923 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 17.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 77 650 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 21.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Belgium, and the Netherlands formed the main cluster of markets for Germany's imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 45.2% of imports, Belgium for 13.9%, and the Netherlands for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented 70.3% of total import flows.

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

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