95% of Saudi Arabia is covered in sand but it still imports sand from Australia, China, Belgium due to....

India.com

22-07-2025

95% of Saudi Arabia is covered in sand but it still imports sand from Australia, China, Belgium due to....
It might sound strange, but Saudi Arabia a country full of deserts actually imports sand from other countries like Australia, China, and Belgium, according to the OEC (Observatory of Economic Complexity). While this may seem confusing at first, there's a good reason behind it, especially as the country pushes forward with its huge Vision 2030 development plans. Why can't Saudi use its own desert sand?
Although deserts are full of sand, this cannot be used for constructions because the sand found in deserts has been shaped by wind for thousands of years, which makes the grains very smooth and round. This type of sand doesn't work well for making concrete, because it doesn't hold together properly when mixed with cement and water.
For construction especially for strong buildings, roads, and other big projects rough and angular sand grains are needed and these type of sand are found in riverbeds, lakes, and ocean floors, not deserts. The sharper grains stick together better and make concrete stronger. A bigger problem around the world
This situation in Saudi Arabia highlights a bigger global issue: there's a growing shortage of the right kind of sand used for building. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) says that the world uses about 50 billion tonnes of sand every year, making it the most-used solid material on Earth. But only a small portion of that sand is actually good enough for construction.
So even in a desert country like Saudi Arabia, builders often have to look beyond their borders to get the right kind of sand to meet their needs. Australia's role in supplying sand to Saudi Arabia
Australia has become one of the world's top suppliers of high-quality construction and silica sand. According to the OEC, in 2023, Australia exported about USD 273 million worth of sand, making it the second-largest sand exporter globally out of 183 countries. Saudi Arabia was one of the countries that imported this sand.
In the same year, Saudi Arabia bought around USD 140,000 worth of natural construction-grade sand from Australia.
The topic gained attention again on social media in 2024, especially as Saudi Arabia pushes forward with huge projects like NEOM, The Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya. The Global sand problem
The world is running low on the kind of sand needed for building. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that the planet is facing a 'sand crisis' and the problem comes from uncontrolled sand mining, which is causing serious harm to the environment. Rivers are being eroded, animal habitats are being destroyed, and many natural ecosystems are losing their biodiversity.
To solve this, some countries are looking at other options, like: M-sand (manufactured sand) which is made by crushing rocks into fine particles that work well for construction.
Recycled construction waste is an old concrete and building materials are being reused to reduce the need for fresh sand.