GCC: Market for Organic Surface Active Agents 2025

Market Size for Organic Surface Active Agents in GCC

The GCC organic surface active agent market was estimated at $X in 2021, standing approx. at the previous year. The total consumption indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +8.7% against 2019 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Organic Surface Active Agents in GCC

In value terms, organic surface active agent production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +5.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 25%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Organic Surface Active Agents

Exports in GCC

For the third consecutive year, GCC recorded growth in overseas shipments of organic surface active agents, which increased by 15% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +31.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, organic surface active agent exports surged to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +10.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +73.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the main exporter of organic surface active agents in GCC, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 57% of total exports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held a 31% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Bahrain (11%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Bahrain (with a CAGR of +64.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest organic surface active agent supplier in GCC, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 19% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +15.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saudi Arabia (+1.1% per year) and Bahrain (+57.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, surging by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.0%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 27%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Organic Surface Active Agents

Imports in GCC

In 2021, overseas purchases of organic surface active agents increased by 11% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 16%. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, organic surface active agent imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +39.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 38%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) prevails in imports structure, together generating 81% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons) and Oman (X tons), together mixing up a 13% share of total imports. The following importers - Bahrain (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) - each resulted at a 5.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Bahrain (with a CAGR of +24.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest organic surface active agent importing markets in GCC were Saudi Arabia ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Kuwait ($X), together accounting for 89% of total imports. Oman, Bahrain and Qatar lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 11%.

Bahrain, with a CAGR of +21.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 5.2% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 (+4.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform