GCC: Photographic Film Market 2025

Photographic Film Market Size in GCC

The GCC photographic film market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, rising by 42% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a abrupt shrinkage. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Photographic Film Production in GCC

In value terms, photographic film production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 52%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Photographic Film Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed, when their volume increased by 30% to X square meters. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X square meters. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, photographic film exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 158%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X square meters) represented the key exporter of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed, creating 77% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Oman (X square meters), generating a 16% share of total exports. Kuwait (X square meters) and Saudi Arabia (X square meters) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to photographic film exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at -5.7%. At the same time, Kuwait (+28.2%), Oman (+16.9%) and Saudi Arabia (+3.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +28.2% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Oman and Kuwait increased by +14 and +3.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest photographic film supplier in GCC, comprising 71% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($X), with a 26% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 2.5% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, photographic film exports declined by an average annual rate of -5.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Oman (+29.0% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+5.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per square meter, growing by 7.4% against the previous year. Export price indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, photographic film export price increased by +31.9% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 95%. The level of export peaked at $X per square meter in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 Oman ($X per square meter), while Kuwait ($X per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+10.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Photographic Film Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, imports of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed in GCC skyrocketed to X square meters, with an increase of 48% compared with 2020. In general, imports, however, recorded a abrupt descent. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X square meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, photographic film imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a deep contraction. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates dominates imports structure, accounting for X square meters, which was near 81% of total imports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X square meters) held a 7.6% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Oman (5.1%). The following importers - Kuwait (X square meters) and Qatar (X square meters) - together made up 4.9% of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates decreased at an average annual rate of -2.3% from 2012 to 2021. Oman experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Kuwait (-10.9%), Qatar (-13.5%) and Saudi Arabia (-16.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the United Arab Emirates and Oman increased by +20 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed in GCC, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 4.2% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, photographic film imports decreased by an average annual rate of -5.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (-13.7% per year) and Oman (-4.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per square meter, with a decrease of -7.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the import price increased by 30%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per square meter. From 2016 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per square meter), while Oman ($X per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+3.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform