GCC: Cotton Linters Market 2025

Cotton Linters Market Size in GCC

After seven years of decline, the GCC cotton linters market increased by 6.7% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption continues to indicate a dramatic shrinkage. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Linters Production in GCC

In value terms, cotton linters production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a noticeable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 418%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Linters Exports

Exports in GCC

Cotton linters exports dropped sharply to X kg in 2021, waning by -41.2% on the previous year. In general, exports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 2,953% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton linters exports shrank significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 2,438%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates prevails in exports structure, amounting to X kg, which was approx. 97% of total exports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X kg) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from the United Arab Emirates decreased at an average annual rate of -10.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+46.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +46.8% from 2012-2021. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+3.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of the United Arab Emirates (-3.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest cotton linters supplier in GCC, comprising 98% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 2.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at -5.9%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 14% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 276%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat 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 amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+5.8%).

Cotton Linters Imports

Imports in GCC

For the fourth year in a row, GCC recorded decline in purchases abroad of cotton linters, which decreased by -54.9% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a sharp decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 286% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton linters imports fell markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a significant curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 282% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates prevails in imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 93% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons), generating a 4.7% share of total imports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates decreased at an average annual rate of -29.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Kuwait (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +1.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-73.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia increased by +4.5 and +2.1 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cotton linters in GCC, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 22% share of total imports.

In the United Arab Emirates, cotton linters imports contracted by an average annual rate of -39.0% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (-41.4% per year) and Kuwait (+4.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -65.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 68%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

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 ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+117.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform