Shrinking Availability of Sand Shifts Consumer Preference to Substitutes – Freedonia Group

CLEVELAND, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Global demand for sand is expected to grow only 1.2% per year through 2023 to just under 10 billion metric tons. Growth will be well below the global average and will track demand for gravel. The shrinking availability of sand will be the primary factor restraining global demand growth. A number of countries (e.g., India, Thailand, South Korea, Saudi Arabia) are dealing with rapidly depleting sand reserves, which will limit long-term supply and will continue to increase consumer prices in regional markets.