GCC: Bentonite Market 2024

Bentonite Exports

Exports in GCC

Bentonite exports totaled X tons in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 159%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, bentonite exports stood at $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 95%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the one major exporters of bentonite, namely the United Arab Emirates, represented more than two-thirds of total export.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the bentonite exports, with a CAGR of +6.9% from 2012 to 2022. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) also remains the largest bentonite supplier in GCC.

In the United Arab Emirates, bentonite exports expanded at an average annual rate of +13.2% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Export price indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, bentonite export price decreased by -2.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 73% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for the United Arab Emirates.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for the United Arab Emirates amounted to +5.9% per year.

Bentonite Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, approx. X tons of bentonite were imported in GCC; increasing by 6.4% on the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 30%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, bentonite imports rose remarkably to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 39%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Saudi Arabia (X tons) was the major importer of bentonite, achieving 53% of total imports. Oman (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons). All these countries together held near 37% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to bentonite imports into Saudi Arabia stood at +7.8%. At the same time, Qatar (+16.7%), Kuwait (+12.9%) and Oman (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +16.7% from 2012-2022. Bahrain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-3.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Saudi Arabia (+18 p.p.), Qatar (+2.9 p.p.) and Kuwait (+2.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Oman and the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -5% and -16.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported bentonite in GCC, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 13% share.

In Saudi Arabia, bentonite imports increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (-6.9% per year) and Oman (+0.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the import price increased by 18%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform