GCC: Oriented Strandboard (Osb) Market 2025

Oriented Strandboard (Osb) Market Size in GCC

After six years of decline, the GCC oriented strandboard (OSB) market increased by 29% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Oriented Strandboard (Osb) Production in GCC

In value terms, oriented strandboard (OSB) production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 15%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Oriented Strandboard (Osb) Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, shipments abroad of oriented strandboard (OSB) was finally on the rise to reach X cubic meters for the first time since 2014, thus ending a six-year declining trend. Overall, exports, however, recorded a precipitous setback. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X cubic meters in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, oriented strandboard (OSB) exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, faced a sharp setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 108% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the key exporter of oriented strandboard (OSB) in GCC, with the volume of exports resulting at X cubic meters, which was approx. 80% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X cubic meters), creating a 19% share of total exports. Kuwait (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the oriented strandboard (OSB) exports, with a CAGR of +55.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Kuwait (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-34.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+79 p.p.) and Kuwait (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -81.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Kuwait ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +35.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per cubic meter, shrinking by -54.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the export price increased by 46%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kuwait ($X per cubic meter), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+12.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Oriented Strandboard (Osb) Imports

Imports in GCC

After six years of decline, overseas purchases of oriented strandboard (OSB) increased by 117% to X cubic meters in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt setback. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X cubic meters in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, oriented strandboard (OSB) imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X cubic meters) represented the key importer of oriented strandboard (OSB), mixing up 67% of total imports. Bahrain (X cubic meters) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 21% share, followed by Qatar (7.8%). Kuwait (X cubic meters) took a little share of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates decreased at an average annual rate of -2.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Bahrain (+25.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +25.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Kuwait (-15.0%) and Qatar (-17.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+22 p.p.) and Bahrain (+20 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Kuwait (-4.4 p.p.) and Qatar (-16.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported oriented strandboard (OSB) in GCC, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Bahrain ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with an 11% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, oriented strandboard (OSB) imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bahrain (+23.2% per year) and Qatar (-22.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per cubic meter, dropping by -14.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per cubic meter in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Qatar ($X per cubic meter), while Bahrain ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform