GCC: Chlorides Market 2024

Chlorides Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride), when their volume decreased by -21% to X tons. In general, exports, however, saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 317% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, chlorides exports reduced to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 221% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the key exporter of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride) in GCC, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was near 73% of total exports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X tons) took a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Kuwait (4.9%) and Oman (4.6%).

Exports from the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +29.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Oman (+30.7%), Kuwait (+23.7%) and Saudi Arabia (+18.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +30.7% from 2012-2021. The United Arab Emirates (+13 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -13.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest chlorides supplier in GCC, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Oman, with a 7.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +8.7%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saudi Arabia (+7.5% per year) and Oman (+9.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 16% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the export price increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+1.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Chlorides Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, supplies from abroad of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride) decreased by -56.6% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 49%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, chlorides imports declined rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 33%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia represented the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 40% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held a 22% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Oman (20%), Kuwait (12%) and Qatar (4.6%). Bahrain (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Kuwait (with a CAGR of +20.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride) in GCC, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 9.8% share.

In Saudi Arabia, chlorides imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (-0.2% per year) and Oman (-3.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 58% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 ($X per ton), while Oman ($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 (+6.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform