GCC: Waferboard Market 2025

Waferboard Market Size in GCC

The GCC waferboard market surged to $X in 2021, jumping by 18% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a prominent increase. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Waferboard Production in GCC

In value terms, waferboard production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a measured expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 84% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Waferboard Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2021, overseas shipments of waferboards increased by 0.8% to X cubic meters, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 227% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X cubic meters. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, waferboard exports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 234% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X cubic meters) represented the major exporter of waferboards, creating 78% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Bahrain (X cubic meters) and Saudi Arabia (X cubic meters), together constituting a 21% share of total exports.

Exports from the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +13.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+26.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +26.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Bahrain (-5.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia increased by +28 and +6.8 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest waferboard supplier in GCC, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Bahrain ($X), with a 10% share of total exports.

In the United Arab Emirates, waferboard exports increased at an average annual rate of +14.0% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Bahrain (-11.6% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+22.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per cubic meter, increasing by 7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 8.1% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2016 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per cubic meter), while Bahrain ($X per cubic 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 (+0.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Waferboard Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, imports of waferboards in GCC skyrocketed to X cubic meters, increasing by 35% on 2020 figures. In general, imports recorded a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 41% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, waferboard imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate resilient growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the major importing country with an import of about X cubic meters, which accounted for 47% of total imports. Saudi Arabia (X cubic meters) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Qatar (X cubic meters), Bahrain (X cubic meters) and Kuwait (X cubic meters). All these countries together took approx. 51% share of total imports. Oman (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Bahrain (with a CAGR of +25.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest waferboard importing markets in GCC were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Qatar ($X), with a combined 79% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, which together accounted for a further 21%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Kuwait, with a CAGR of +23.4%, 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 cubic meter, with an increase of 8.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Kuwait ($X per cubic meter) and Qatar ($X per cubic meter), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per cubic meter) and Bahrain ($X per cubic meter) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+0.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform