MENA: Stationery Market 2025

Stationery Market Size in MENA

In 2022, the MENA's stationery market decreased by -3.3% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Stationery Production in MENA

In value terms, stationery production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded tangible growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 65%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Stationery Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, overseas shipments of articles of stationery increased by 4.7% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 21%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, stationery exports rose sharply to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 22%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) was the largest exporter of articles of stationery, constituting 44% of total exports. Tunisia (X tons) held a 26% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Palestine (8.3%), the United Arab Emirates (7.1%), Egypt (6%) and Lebanon (5.2%).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Palestine (with a CAGR of +20.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest stationery supplier in MENA, comprising 48% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tunisia ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Egypt, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey stood at +9.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tunisia (+0.0% per year) and Egypt (-5.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the export price increased by 33% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Palestine ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+11.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Stationery Imports

Imports in MENA

For the third year in a row, MENA recorded decline in supplies from abroad of articles of stationery, which decreased by -1.5% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 17%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, stationery imports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Iraq (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the largest importers of articles of stationery in 2022, accounting for approx. 21% and 17% of total imports, respectively. Yemen (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Djibouti (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons), Libya (X tons) and Israel (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 41% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons), Oman (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Libya (with a CAGR of +8.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest stationery importing markets in MENA were Iraq ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Israel ($X), with a combined 50% share of total imports. Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Libya, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Morocco and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

Yemen, with a CAGR of +8.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Kuwait ($X per ton), while Libya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+7.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform