GCC: Alkali Metals Market 2025

Alkali Metals Market Size in GCC

In 2021, the GCC alkali metals market increased by 60% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a slight shrinkage. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Alkali Metals Production in GCC

In value terms, alkali metals production declined slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production posted a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Alkali Metals Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, overseas shipments of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury decreased by -9.9% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 69% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, alkali metals exports reduced slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a pronounced expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 72%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented roughly 79% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Bahrain (X tons), achieving a 17% share of total exports. Oman (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +25.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest alkali metals supplier in GCC, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Bahrain ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +8.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Bahrain (+23.8% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+4.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 11% against the previous year. Export price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+10.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Alkali Metals Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, overseas purchases of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury increased by 62% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a abrupt downturn. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, alkali metals imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports enjoyed a notable expansion. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the largest importer of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury, creating 61% of total imports. Oman (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 38% share of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +12.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Kuwait (+14.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +14.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Bahrain (-4.2%), Oman (-5.9%) and Saudi Arabia (-24.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Oman increased by +50, +4.5 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury in GCC, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United Arab Emirates totaled +17.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (-7.4% per year) and Oman (-1.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, surging by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 108%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while Bahrain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+22.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform