Silica and quartz sands market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for silica and quartz sands in Slovakia rose sharply from 568 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 825 thousand tons in 2019, before contracting to 648 thousand tons in 2020 and further to 566 thousand tons in 2021. The decline in 2020 coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted transportation and logistics, affecting the supply chain for these materials.

In the following years, environmental sustainability goals from the EU and Slovakia continued to shape industry practices. Extraction reported a modest 1% increase in 2022, though global factors such as the war in Ukraine introduced logistical challenges. Import volumes fell from 378 thousand tons in 2021 to 237 thousand tons in 2022 and remained around 239 thousand tons in 2023, before dropping to 214 thousand tons in 2024, while exports showed considerable fluctuation.

Production silica and quartz sands in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovakia's production of silica and quartz sands has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 9 216 thousand US dollars, marking a 3.8% increase from 2019. Over the three-year period from 2018 to 2020, production rose by 11.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Slovakia produced 446.3 thousand tonnes of silica and quartz sands, which represents a 17.3% decrease compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2020, production actually increased by 6.4%, averaging 2.1% per year. The peak was in 2019 at 539.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual growth of 28.7% also occurring that year.

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

Exports silica and quartz sands from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Slovakia's exports of silica and quartz sands declined in 2020. Shipments totaled 177.0 thousand tonnes, down 20.1% from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports still managed a 3.5% overall increase, averaging 1.2% annually. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 221.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual rise of 19.3% also in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Croatia, and Poland were the leading destinations for Slovakia's silica and quartz sands exports by volume. Czechia accounted for 52.0% of exports, Croatia for 27.1%, and Poland for 8.9%. Together, these three countries made up 87.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of increase, Slovakia's exports of silica and quartz sands in value terms fell in 2020. Exports amounted to 3 532 thousand US dollars, a 6.9% drop from the previous year. Despite this, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 22.4% overall, with an average annual rate of 7.0%. The peak value was in 2019 at 3 794 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase of 17.7% also occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia, Hungary, and Croatia were the top buyers of Slovakia's silica and quartz sands by value. Czechia led with 56.1% of exports, followed by Hungary at 11.7%, and Croatia at 10.6%. Combined, these three countries represented 78.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports silica and quartz sands to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovakia's imports of silica and quartz sands by volume stood at 378.2 thousand tonnes, a 25.4% decrease from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 334.1 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 506.8 thousand tonnes. The largest annual increase of 51.7% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Czechia, Hungary, and Poland—dominated Slovakia's imports of silica and quartz sands by volume, collectively accounting for 83.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Slovakia's imports of silica and quartz sands in value terms declined in 2020. Imports totaled 11 305 thousand US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 44.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.1%. The highest value was in 2019 at 11 366 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual rise of 27.9% occurred in 2018.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Germany, and Europe, not elsewhere specified, were the main sources for Slovakia's silica and quartz sands imports by value. Czechia accounted for 36.5% of imports, Germany for 27.1%, and Europe, not elsewhere specified, for 16.2%. Together, these three sources made up 79.8% of total import flows.

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

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