GCC: Lime Market 2025

Lime Market Size in GCC

The GCC lime market dropped to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -11.3% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a pronounced contraction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Lime Production in GCC

In value terms, lime production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Lime Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, the amount of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime exported in GCC skyrocketed to X tons, increasing by 26% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports posted resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 70%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, lime exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 79%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Oman (X tons) represented roughly 85% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons), mixing up a 14% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Oman (with a CAGR of +42.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Oman ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 99% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +41.2%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, declining by -3.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 32%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($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 (-0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Lime Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, approx. X tons of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime were imported in GCC; growing by 30% compared with 2020. In general, imports showed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 80% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, lime imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Oman represented the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which amounted to 67% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Bahrain (X tons), achieving a 25% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Oman was also the fastest-growing in terms of the quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime imports, with a CAGR of +49.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Qatar (+31.5%) and Bahrain (+31.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Kuwait experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-14.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Oman (+57 p.p.), Bahrain (+14 p.p.) and Qatar (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -9.3% and -54.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Oman ($X), Bahrain ($X) and Qatar ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 92% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +39.1%, recorded 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

In 2021, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -11.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 11%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($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 (+6.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform