Silicon dioxide market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The silicon dioxide market in Russia expanded in 2019, reaching over 72,000 t as imports hit a peak physical volume. This growth was abruptly reversed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a 15.5% drop in sales, reducing the market to 54,010 t due to lower industrial demand.

A partial recovery followed in 2021, lifting the market above 61,000 t. However, anti-Russian sanctions in 2022 triggered a sharp contraction, cutting imports by almost 10% that year and driving the market size down to 50,431 t. The import decline continued into 2023, further reducing the market to 41,163 t.

In 2024, the market rebounded to 52,381 t, supported by a shift toward domestic production. The output of precipitated silica increased by 10% to 4.2 thousand t, indicating recovering internal demand. Domestic production volume reached 17,223 t that year, though it fell to 14,918 t in 2025.

Production silicon dioxide in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Russia's silicon dioxide production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Russia produced 14,482 tonnes of silicon dioxide, marking a significant 49.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 66.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 18.5%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 7,377 tonnes, with the largest decline of 15.2% also occurring that year.

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

Exports silicon dioxide from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Russia's cross-border shipments of silicon dioxide rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, Russia exported 3,413 tonnes of silicon dioxide, showing a robust 24.5% increase over the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 4.7%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 1.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 2,568 tonnes, with the largest decline of 21.2% also recorded that year.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine were the top contributors to Russia's silicon dioxide exports in volume terms. Belarus accounted for 34.0% of exports, Kazakhstan for 22.6%, and Ukraine for 17.3%. Together, these three countries represented 73.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in export performance during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2021, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, silicon dioxide shipments from Russia abroad amounted to 6,440 thousand US dollars, showing a steep rise of 79.2% compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3,337 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 6.9% also occurring that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine were the main buyers of Russian silicon dioxide in value terms. Belarus accounted for 41.5% of exports, Kazakhstan for 16.4%, and Ukraine for 14.2%. Collectively, these three countries comprised 72.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports silicon dioxide to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Russia imported 50,105 tonnes of silicon dioxide in 2021, up by 7.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 10.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.5%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 46,820 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 67,381 tonnes. The largest decline of 30.5% occurred in 2020, and the largest increase of 20.9% was in 2019.

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

During 2018–2021, China, Germany, and France led as the primary suppliers of silicon dioxide to Russia in volume terms. China accounted for 31.5% of imports, Germany for 11.4%, and France for 10.3%. Together, these three countries made up 53.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year contraction, Russia's cross-border shipments of silicon dioxide increased. In 2021, Russia imported approximately 81,796 thousand US dollars of silicon dioxide, which is 23.9% higher than in 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 66,021 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 17.5% also occurring that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Germany, and France remained the main suppliers of silicon dioxide to Russia in value terms. China accounted for 28.0% of imports, Germany for 19.7%, and France for 11.9%. Collectively, these three countries formed 59.6% of total import value.

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

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