Silica and quartz sands market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek market for natural silica and quartz sands contracted sharply in 2019, with annual volume dropping to 891 thousand tonnes from 1.2 million tonnes the previous year. A period of stabilization and recovery began in 2020, a year marked by Greece's legal framework protecting sand as a common good—which regulates extraction licenses—and by the global COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted supply chains.

From 2021 onward, the market entered a phase of consistent growth. This expansion was driven by demand from key consuming sectors such as construction, industrial flooring, sandblasting, and decorative applications. The activity of established processors and importers, like Stroumboulis, supported the market's development during this period.

The upward trend culminated in 2024, with the total market volume returning to its 2018 level of 1.2 million tonnes. This final surge was reinforced by overall construction sector activity in Greece, a key indirect driver of demand for silica and quartz sands.

Production silica and quartz sands in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Greece, the output value of silica and quartz sands was $4,294 thousand in 2020, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 23.9%, with an annualized decrease of 8.7%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at $4,271 thousand, while the peak was in 2018 at $6,087 thousand. The sharpest drop of 29.8% took place in 2019, whereas 2018 saw the largest increase of 7.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, Greece's production volume of silica and quartz sands rebounded in 2020, reaching 801 thousand tons—a modest year-on-year increase of 1.0%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 33.6%, averaging an annual decline of 12.7%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 793 thousand tons, which also marked the steepest drop of 28.6% during this period.

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

Exports silica and quartz sands from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of silica and quartz sands from Greece showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. The peak occurred in 2018 at 0.6 thousand tons, while the lowest point was in 2017, resulting in a 1.9-fold difference. In 2020, exports totaled 0.3 thousand tons, down 23.5% from the previous year. The largest decline of 25.2% happened in 2019, whereas 2018 saw the biggest increase of 88.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Greece's silica and quartz sands exports by volume were Albania (35.2%), Cyprus (28.0%), and Turkey (9.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 73.0% of total export flows.

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

The value of Greece's silica and quartz sands exports displayed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2019 at $139 thousand, rising to a peak in 2020 at $352 thousand—a 2.5-fold increase. In 2020, export value grew by 152.9% compared to the previous year. The sharpest decline of 41.2% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Cyprus, Portugal, and Albania—collectively represented 78.0% of the total export value for Greece's silica and quartz sands.

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

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

Imports silica and quartz sands to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

Greece's imports of silica and quartz sands by volume declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling approximately 89.6 thousand tons—a slight decrease of 8.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 13.2%, with an annualized reduction of 4.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Portugal and Egypt were the primary suppliers of silica and quartz sands to Greece by volume, together accounting for 82.3% of total imports, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

Greece's import value of silica and quartz sands increased for the second straight year in 2020, reaching $5,225 thousand—a gain of 1.3% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 span, imports decreased by 4.7%, averaging an annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $4,571 thousand, which also saw the largest drop of 16.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Greece's silica and quartz sands imports by value were Portugal (28.7%), Egypt (28.7%), and Germany (11.2%). These three countries combined represented 68.5% 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