Silica and quartz sands market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for natural silica and quartz sands in Lithuania grew from 60 503 tons in 2018 to a peak of 68 989 tons in 2020. A subsequent contraction brought volume down to 52 412 tons by 2023, with a slight recovery to 53 880 tons recorded in 2024.

In value terms, the market expanded consistently from $2.3 million in 2018 to $3.1 million in 2024. This rise in market value occurred despite the post-2020 decline in physical volume, indicating an increase in average prices or a shift toward higher-value products.

Production silica and quartz sands in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Lithuania's production of silica and quartz sands has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 3,211 thousand US dollars, marking a 9.4% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 20.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2,458 thousand US dollars, when production saw its largest decline of 7.8%. In contrast, the most significant increase occurred in 2020, with a jump of 19.4%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Following two years of growth, silica and quartz sands production in Lithuania experienced a slight downturn. In 2021, output totaled 62,879 tonnes, reflecting a modest decrease of 5.8% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, overall production increased by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak was reached in 2020 at 66,719 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 13.5% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports silica and quartz sands from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Silica and quartz sands exports from Lithuania have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Lithuania shipped 13,582 tonnes, showing a slight gain of 3.9% over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 10.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 10,611 tonnes, when exports fell by 13.7%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2020, with a surge of 23.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the export pattern for silica and quartz sands showed a heavy reliance on Latvia, which accounted for 95.7% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Silica and quartz sands exports from Lithuania have continued to grow for the second year in a row. In 2021, export value stood at 1,442 thousand US dollars, representing a strong increase of 25.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 990 thousand US dollars, when exports declined by 18.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia dominated the export value of silica and quartz sands from Lithuania, capturing 84.1% of total flows, while other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports silica and quartz sands to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

Silica and quartz sands imports into Lithuania have declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 14,376 tonnes, indicating a moderate decrease of 6.3% from the year before. From 2018 to 2021, imports dropped by 11.3%, which equates to an annualized decline of 3.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 18,844 tonnes, when imports saw their largest increase of 16.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 18.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus, Latvia, and Poland remained the top suppliers of silica and quartz sands to Lithuania in volume terms. Belarus accounted for 54.2% of imports, Latvia for 22.8%, and Poland for 12.3%, together making up 89.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Lithuania imported 901 thousand US dollars worth of silica and quartz sands in 2021, representing an increase of 8.4% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 831 thousand US dollars, when imports fell by 14.9%. The highest value was in 2019 at 976 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus, Germany, and Poland were the main suppliers of silica and quartz sands to Lithuania in value terms. Belarus held 35.2% of imports, Germany 19.1%, and Poland 17.0%, collectively accounting for 71.3% of total import value.

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

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