GCC: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2024

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in GCC

The GCC printing and writing paper market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, picking up by 17% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild setback. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Production of Printing and Writing Paper in GCC

In value terms, printing and writing paper production declined sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 15,579% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports in GCC

In 2022, shipments abroad of printing and writing paper decreased by -8.3% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 126%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports fell to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 149% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the major exporter of printing and writing paper, making up 86% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons), comprising a 13% share of total exports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the printing and writing paper exports, with a CAGR of +25.1% from 2012 to 2022. Saudi Arabia (-1.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates increased by +50 percentage points.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest printing and writing paper supplier in GCC, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

In the United Arab Emirates, printing and writing paper exports expanded at an average annual rate of +21.7% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -4.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (-0.8%).

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports in GCC

In 2022, approx. X tons of printing and writing paper were imported in GCC; reducing by -21.5% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, imports showed a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 32%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 29%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which amounted to 66% of total imports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 21% share, followed by Kuwait (4.7%). The following importers - Qatar (X tons) and Oman (X tons) - each amounted to a 6.3% share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the printing and writing paper imports, with a CAGR of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Qatar (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Oman (-2.2%), Kuwait (-6.0%) and Saudi Arabia (-8.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+28 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Kuwait (-2.8 p.p.) and Saudi Arabia (-25.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported printing and writing paper in GCC, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with a 5% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, printing and writing paper imports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (-9.7% per year) and Qatar (+2.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -2.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+1.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform