GCC: Non-Cotton Terry Towelling Market 2025

Non-Cotton Terry Towelling Market Size in GCC

The GCC non-cotton terry towelling market shrank slightly to $X in 2021, declining by -4.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a deep downturn. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Non-Cotton Terry Towelling Production in GCC

In value terms, non-cotton terry towelling production expanded notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. 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.

Non-Cotton Terry Towelling Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, overseas shipments of terry towelling (excluding of cotton) were finally on the rise to reach X square meters for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The volume of export peaked at X square meters in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, non-cotton terry towelling exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a perceptible contraction. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Oman (X square meters) and the United Arab Emirates (X square meters) prevails in exports structure, together constituting 90% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X square meters), committing an 8.9% share of total exports. Bahrain (X square meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +30.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Oman ($X) and Bahrain ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 94% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Bahrain, with a CAGR of +29.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per square meter, jumping by 21% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the export price increased by 50% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per square meter in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Bahrain ($X per square meter), while Saudi Arabia ($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 Bahrain (+14.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Non-Cotton Terry Towelling Imports

Imports in GCC

Non-cotton terry towelling imports contracted modestly to X square meters in 2021, with a decrease of -4.7% on 2020. In general, imports showed a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 81% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X square meters. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, non-cotton terry towelling imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 140% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia was the main importer of terry towelling (excluding of cotton) in GCC, with the volume of imports finishing at X square meters, which was approx. 62% of total imports in 2021. The United Arab Emirates (X square meters) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 22% share, followed by Qatar (7%) and Kuwait (4.9%). Bahrain (X square meters) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to non-cotton terry towelling imports into Saudi Arabia stood at +23.8%. At the same time, Bahrain (+28.1%) and Kuwait (+20.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +28.1% from 2012-2021. Qatar experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-22.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain increased by +58, +7, +4.5 and +3.9 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Qatar ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 94% share of total imports. Kuwait and Bahrain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 5.6%.

Bahrain, with a CAGR of +32.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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 square meter, increasing by 21% against the previous year. In general, the import price enjoyed slight growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 104% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per square meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per square meter), while Saudi Arabia ($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 the United Arab Emirates (+11.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform