Silica and quartz sands market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume of natural silica and quartz sands in Poland fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2024. After reaching a peak of 8.1 million tons in 2019, consumption declined over the following years, hitting a low of 6.4 million tons in 2023, before partially recovering to 7.0 million tons in 2024. In value terms, the market consistently expanded from $57.8 million to $103.6 million over the same period, indicating rising prices or a shift toward higher-value products.

The downturn in 2023 coincided with legislative work on implementing the EU Industrial Emissions Directive and preparing new technical building regulations, which created regulatory uncertainty for industrial installations and the construction sector. The subsequent recovery in 2024 was driven by increased demand from the construction industry, particularly for cellular concrete production, where quartz sand extraction grew by 17% after several years of decline. Amendments to land pollution assessment rules and the delayed enforcement of updated building technical conditions until August 2024 also influenced mining operations and market planning.

Regulatory changes in 2024 included the revocation of the concession for the Sułów deposit and the granting of a new concession for Łozienica-1, though extraction had not commenced. Globally, rising demand for high-purity quartz sands from the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries provided additional momentum to the market, reflecting broader industrial trends affecting raw material supply.

Production silica and quartz sands in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Poland's production of silica and quartz sands declined in 2020. The output was valued at 70 083 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate decrease of 3.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 20.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 72 409 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 14.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Poland produced 8 056 thousand tons of silica and quartz sands, marking a modest decline of 3.2% from the previous year. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 542 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 8 324 thousand tons. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 5.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 10.4%.

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

Exports silica and quartz sands from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's exports of silica and quartz sands have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 279.4 thousand tons, showing a gain of 5.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 22.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Germany, and Hungary were the largest contributors to Poland's silica and quartz sands exports by volume. Czechia accounted for 32.6% of exports, Germany for 20.7%, and Hungary for 15.9%. Together, these three countries represented 69.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Poland exported silica and quartz sands worth 13 726 thousand US dollars in 2020, indicating a moderate decrease of 5.1% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 163 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase also occurring in 2018 at 84.3%. The difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017 was 1.8 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Hungary, and Germany remained the main buyers of Poland's silica and quartz sands by value. Czechia accounted for 21.3% of exports, Hungary for 17.1%, and Germany for 13.2%. Collectively, these three countries formed 51.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports silica and quartz sands to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's imports of silica and quartz sands have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 27.8 thousand tons, corresponding to a limited increase of 3.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 34.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Czechia, and Belgium were the leading sources of Poland's silica and quartz sands imports by volume. Germany accounted for 53.7% of imports, Czechia for 15.3%, and Belgium for 8.2%. Together, these three countries made up 77.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Poland's imports of silica and quartz sands amounted to 7 661 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp rise of 28.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 25.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 960 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline also occurring in 2019 at 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and Czechia remained the principal suppliers of silica and quartz sands to Poland by value. Germany accounted for 57.4% of imports, Belgium for 10.6%, and Czechia for 5.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 73.4% of total import value.

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

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