GCC: Silicon Dioxide Market 2024

Silicon Dioxide Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, shipments abroad of silicon dioxide was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, exports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 240% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, silicon dioxide exports declined dramatically to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 136% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates prevails in exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 96% of total exports in 2021. The following exporters - Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) - each amounted to a 3.9% share of total exports.

Exports from the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +9.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Kuwait (+107.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +107.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-6.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+7.9 p.p.) and Kuwait (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -6.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest silicon dioxide supplier in GCC, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

In the United Arab Emirates, silicon dioxide exports decreased by an average annual rate of -7.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+4.7% per year) and Kuwait (+71.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -43.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 97%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+11.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Silicon Dioxide Imports

Imports in GCC

Silicon dioxide imports fell dramatically to X tons in 2021, waning by -41.5% against the previous year. In general, imports, however, recorded a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 171% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silicon dioxide imports declined rapidly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia was the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which amounted to 60% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Qatar (X tons). All these countries together held near 33% share of total imports. Oman (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Saudi Arabia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the silicon dioxide imports, with a CAGR of +16.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+4.6%) and Kuwait (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Qatar (-1.5%) and Oman (-11.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+34 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of the United Arab Emirates (-3.1 p.p.), Qatar (-13.1 p.p.) and Oman (-17.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported silicon dioxide in GCC, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 27% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with a 2.7% share.

In Saudi Arabia, silicon dioxide imports increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+8.8% per year) and Qatar (-6.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 114%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Qatar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform