GCC: Corrugated Paper Box Market 2025

Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in GCC

The GCC corrugated paper box market was estimated at $X in 2022, picking up by 1.8% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -3.1% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Corrugated Paper Box Production in GCC

In value terms, corrugated paper box production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -3.0% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 24%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, the amount of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard exported in GCC was estimated at X tons, with an increase of 11% on 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper box exports rose modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a mild descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) dominates exports structure, together creating 84% of total exports. Oman (X tons) took a 9.7% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Kuwait (5.5%).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +4.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest corrugated paper box supplying countries in GCC were Saudi Arabia ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Kuwait ($X), with a combined 95% share of total exports. Oman lagged somewhat behind, accounting for a further 4%.

Oman, with a CAGR of +4.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -6.8% against the previous year. Export price indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, corrugated paper box export price increased by +57.1% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 22%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+14.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, overseas purchases of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard decreased by -24.2% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 26%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper box imports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard, namely the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait, represented more than two-thirds of total import. It was distantly followed by Bahrain (X tons), generating a 6.4% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Kuwait (with a CAGR of +14.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Oman ($X) and Kuwait ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 90% of total imports.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +11.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -14.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: 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 (+8.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform