GCC: Newspaper Market 2025

Newspaper Market Size in GCC

The GCC newspaper market fell modestly to $X in 2022, declining by -4.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a slight setback. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Newspaper Production in GCC

In value terms, newspaper production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a slight contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 52%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Newspaper Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, overseas shipments of newspapers, journals and periodicals increased by 3.6% to X units, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, recorded a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 36%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, newspaper exports declined to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Oman represented the main exporter of newspapers, journals and periodicals in GCC, with the volume of exports accounting for X units, which was approx. 57% of total exports in 2022. The United Arab Emirates (X units) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 31% share, followed by Saudi Arabia (8.7%). Kuwait (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Oman (with a CAGR of +35.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Oman ($X) remains the largest newspaper supplier in GCC, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Oman totaled +38.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (-19.1% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-12.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per unit, dropping by -11.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 38% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+7.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Newspaper Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, after eight years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of newspapers, journals and periodicals, when their volume increased by 14% to X units. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X units in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, newspaper imports shrank to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 31%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates prevails in imports structure, reaching X units, which was approx. 90% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Bahrain (X units), comprising a 5.4% share of total imports. Oman (X units) took a little share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the newspapers, journals and periodicals imports, with a CAGR of -11.2% from 2012 to 2022. Bahrain (-20.3%) and Oman (-28.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+30 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Bahrain and Oman saw its share reduced by -5.3% and -8.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported newspapers, journals and periodicals in GCC, comprising 88% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Bahrain ($X), with a 2.8% share of total imports.

In the United Arab Emirates, newspaper imports declined by an average annual rate of -4.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bahrain (-17.5% per year) and Oman (-22.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per unit in 2022, dropping by -21.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2021, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per unit), while Bahrain ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+8.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform