Despite seemingly endless deserts, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are importing construction-grade sand from overseas, including Australia, to meet the needs of their booming mega-projects and urban expansion. Desert sand, shaped by wind and lacking the angular texture required for binding in concrete, cannot fulfil the strict engineering standards for modern infrastructure, forcing Gulf states to turn to riverbed and marine sources abroad.
Projects under Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s skyline developments such as the Burj Khalifa and artificial islands depend on this imported material to achieve structural integrity and design goals.
Analysts say this phenomenon underscores a broader “sand crisis,” with global demand for high-quality aggregate outstripping local supplies even in regions with abundant natural sand.
According to trade data, Australia has emerged as a key exporter of suitable sand, supplying the Gulf states to support concrete production in critical construction activities. Environmental groups warn that unsustainable sand extraction from rivers and seabeds can damage ecosystems, prompting calls for innovation in alternative building materials and stricter resource management worldwide.