Key Highlights
As we know, India has become a major supplier to many international markets due to the growing demand for premium river and silica sand worldwide. At a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% and a volume of nearly 1,006 million tons in 2024, the Indian sand production market is projected to reach 1,773.5 million tons by 2034.
Sand, an essential raw material for building and infrastructure development, has grown to be one of India's major exports. The key export markets for Indian Sand are Singapore, UAE, Maldives, Bangladesh and Mauritius. In this blog, we will analyze the strategic approaches for sand export from India, along with a list of sand exporters, Indian sand export statistics, HS Codes, and much more.
A point to keep in mind
India has imposed strict regulations on sand mining to prevent environmental degradation. Illegal sand mining remains a concern, leading to periodic bans and restrictions on exports. Exporters must follow government regulations and use sustainable mining methods in order to maintain growth.
India's increasing sand exports are a result of global construction booms, infrastructure development, and urbanization. Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the Maldives are among the nations that heavily depend on imported sand for large-scale projects due to domestic sand shortages.
India consumes almost 900 million tons of sand annually, making it the second-largest consumer in the world after China. The market is expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. Also, India produced approximately 17,300 metric tonnes of molding sand In 2023.
The amount will be nearly 1,006 million tons in 2024. By 2034, the Indian sand production market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% to reach 1,773.5 million tons.
The major sand producing states in India are:
| Top Producing States | Quartzite Resources (Million Tonnes) |
| Haryana | 1,653.65 |
| Rajasthan | 740.46 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 236.69 |
| Tamil Nadu | 201.49 |
| Maharashtra | 179.72 |
| Jharkhand | 151.19 |
With a production volume of 1,653.65 million metric tons, Haryana is among the top producers of sand in India, which is represented by the major states listed above.
Here is the updated table for sand export from India:
| Sand Export from India | Sand Export Data |
| Total Period | March 2023 - February 2024 (TTM) |
| Total Sand export from India | 35,717 |
| Number of sand exporters in India | 2,791 |
| Number of Sand Buyers | 4,974 |
| Year-over-Year Growth | 55% (compared to previous 12 months) |
| February 2024 Shipments | 3,934 |
| Major Export Destinations | United States, Belgium, United Kingdom |
| Top Sand HS Codes | 2505, 250510, 25051011 |
Based on sand export data from India, around 35,717 shipments of sand were exported by India between March 2023 and February 2024 (TTM). These exports, which were sold by 2,791 Indian exporters to 4,974 buyers, were up 55% from the previous year.
Over this period, 3,934 shipments of sand were exported from India in February 2024 alone. This is an increase of 57% year over year from February 2023 and 35% sequentially from January 2024. Also, The United States, Belgium, and the United Kingdom receive the majority of India's sand exports.
The top three countries in the world for sand exports are China, Vietnam, and India. India is the world's largest exporter of sand, with 374,432 shipments, followed by China (299,906) and Vietnam (171,585).
India exports various types of sand, such as quartz, silica, and river sand. Some of the top exported sands from India are:
Silica sand, sometimes referred to as quartz sand or industrial sand, is a naturally occurring granular substance that is mostly made up of silicon dioxide (SiO2).
Below is the table for silica sand export from India:
| Silica Sand Export from India | Silica Sand Export Data |
| Quantity Exported (2023) | 546,997 kg |
| Export Value (2023-24) | US$ 74.61k |
| Major Export Destinations | Bangladesh, Nepal, UAE |
| HS code for silica sand | 250510 |
A naturally occurring coarse material that is extracted from riverbeds and formed by the gradual erosion of rocks and minerals, river sand is frequently used in construction because of its smooth, rounded grains, which make it appropriate for flooring, plastering, concrete, and mortar.
Below is the table for river sand export from India:
| River Sand Export from India | River Sand Export Data |
| Total Shipments (TTM) | 11 |
| Number of Exporters | 7 |
| Number of Buyers | 8 |
| Year-over-Year Growth | 22% |
The natural, iron-free mineral abrasive known as garnet sand finds extensive application in water jet cutting, sandblasting, and water filtration industries because of its high hardness, durability, and low silica content.
Below is the table for garnet sand export from India:
| Metric | Garnet Sand Export Data |
| Total Shipments (TTM) | 13 |
| Number of Exporters | 8 |
| Number of Buyers | 8 |
| Year-over-Year Growth | 160% |
| Garnet sand HS code | 25132030 |
Now, analyze the list of top sand exporters in India.
There are several sand exporters in India, such as:
So, these are the prominent sand exporters in India. However, the export of sand involves a number of Indian suppliers and businesses. Key exporting states include Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. Ports like Chennai, Kandla, and Mumbai play a crucial role in facilitating exports. Also, if you need the list of top sand exporters in India, sand importers, HS Codes, connect with Eximpedia.app today.
Here are the top 10 sand-exporting countries:
| Top Rank | Top 10 Sand Exporting Countries | Sand Export Data (Export Value) |
| 1 | United States | US$ 761.1 million |
| 2 | Netherlands | US$ 272.9 million |
| 3 | Germany | US$ 166.4 million |
| 4 | Belgium | US$ 103.9 million |
| 5 | Cambodia | US$ 97.1 million |
| 6 | Malaysia | US$ 89.4 million |
| 7 | Mozambique | US$ 81.8 million |
| 8 | France | US$ 61.4 million |
| 9 | Indonesia | US$ 58.6 million |
| 10 | Egypt | US$ 45 million |
Thus, these are the leading nations that export sand worldwide. The United States is the biggest exporter of sand, with an export value of $761 million. If you need a list of the leading sand exporters in India or garnet sand export from India, use our data-driven platform to contact us.
Here is the list of sand-importing countries:
| Country/ Region | Import Value (USD Million) | Import Volume (Billion kg) |
| China | 331.67 | 6.497 |
| Canada | 273.25 | 5.93 |
| European Union | 88.66 | 0.83691 |
| United Arab Emirates | 87.9 | - |
| Mexico | 82.72 | 0.81595 |
Therefore, China and Canada dominate the global market for the import of silica and quartz sand, importing both in much larger quantities and at much higher values than other regions. Also, China leads as the world's largest importer, with import values exceeding $331 million and volumes reaching nearly 6.5 billion kilograms.
Now look at the HS code for sand!
Below is the list of HS code for sand:
| Major Sand HS Codes | Sand HS Codes Description |
| Chapter-25 | sand; Sulphur; Earth and Stone; Plastering Materials, Lime and Cement |
| 2505 | Natural sand of all kinds, whether or not coloured, other than metal-bearing sand |
| 250510 | HS code for silica sand and quartz sand |
| 25051011 | Processed (white) |
| 25051012 | Processed (brown) |
| 25051020 | Quartz sand |
| 25132030 | Garnet sand HS code |
In conclusion, 250510 (quartz sand and silica sand) is the most significant HS code for sand, encompassing the vast majority of sand that is traded internationally, even though several other HS codes may be connected to sand and products related to it.
For more information on Indian sand export statistics and Indian sand exporters, it is recommended to browse the subcategories in this code and contact Eximpedia.
To find out the top sand buyers globally, you need to explore the Eximpedia platform and analyze the global market insights such as sand export data, the sand exporters list, and sand HSN Codes.
Eximpedia platform allows you to analyze Indonesia trade data or HS code for sand. We also provide India export import data, directory of importers and exporters, shipment details and much more.
So, the sand export industry in India is poised for growth, provided it adheres to environmental guidelines and maintains a steady supply to global markets.
By focusing on M-sand and sustainable dredging, India can ensure that it is exporting a product that is both necessary and environmentally conscious. However, if you require any kind of help with river sand export data, Indian sand exporters, Ukraine import export data, or HS code for sand, get in touch with the Eximpedia portal right now and set up a free live demo.
Q1. What is the HSN code for sand?
For all types of natural sand, colored or not, except metal-bearing sands of chapter 26, the HSN code is 2505.
Q2. Who is the largest exporter of sand?
Based on sand exporter data, the largest exporter of sand is the United States, with an export value of US$ 761.1 million.
Q3. Who buys the most sand in the world?
Singapore is the world's biggest importer of sand, with China, Canada, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands following closely behind.
Q4. Which country consumes the most sand?
With yearly consumption of up to 20 billion tons, or roughly half of the global total, China is the world's biggest consumer of sand.
Q5. Which country imports sand from India?
The United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Thailand, the Maldives, and Chinese Taipei were the top export markets for Indian sand in 2023.
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