GCC: Wallpaper Market 2025

Wallpaper Exports

Exports in GCC

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of wallpaper and wall coverings increased by 63% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports, however, faced a abrupt descent. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wallpaper exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a buoyant expansion. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates prevails in exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 92% of total exports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Oman (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to wallpaper exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at +18.5%. At the same time, Oman (+37.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +37.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-36.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+85 p.p.) and Oman (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -88.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest wallpaper supplier in GCC, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 2% share of total exports.

In the United Arab Emirates, wallpaper exports increased at an average annual rate of +31.3% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saudi Arabia (-27.8% per year) and Oman (+33.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, growing by 201% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a significant expansion. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Oman ($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 (+13.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Wallpaper Imports

Imports in GCC

Wallpaper imports dropped modestly to X tons in 2021, which is down by -4.7% against 2020. Total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -44.5% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, wallpaper imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 101%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the major importer of wallpaper and wall coverings in GCC, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 60% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons), together committing a 31% share of total imports. The following importers - Qatar (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Oman (X tons) - each resulted at a 9.3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to wallpaper imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +6.9%. At the same time, Bahrain (+12.6%), Kuwait (+3.0%), Qatar (+1.7%) and Oman (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +12.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-4.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+20 p.p.) and Bahrain (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -21.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported wallpaper and wall coverings in GCC, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Kuwait, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United Arab Emirates totaled +5.3%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (-8.8% per year) and Kuwait (+0.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 34% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a mild decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the import price increased by 87% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform