GCC: Packaging Materials Market 2025

Packaging Materials Market Size in GCC

For the third year in a row, the GCC packaging materials market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 0.2% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption, however, posted prominent growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Packaging Materials Production in GCC

In value terms, packaging materials production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 23%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Packaging Materials Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, overseas shipments of packaging materials were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Total exports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -22.7% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 31%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, packaging materials exports rose slightly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) dominates exports structure, together mixing up 92% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons), achieving a 7.3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +12.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest packaging materials supplying countries in GCC were Saudi Arabia ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Kuwait ($X), with a combined 98% share of total exports.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +11.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, waning by -17.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 43%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Packaging Materials Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, supplies from abroad of packaging materials decreased by -7.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, packaging materials imports fell to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 21%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which reached 52% of total imports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Oman (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 45% share of total imports. Bahrain (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Kuwait ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 90% of total imports. Oman and Bahrain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 8.5%.

Among the main importing countries, Bahrain, with a CAGR of +9.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Bahrain ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform