MENA: Market for Coated Printing and Writing Papers 2025

Market Size for Coated Printing and Writing Papers in MENA

In 2021, the MENA's market for coated printing and writing papers increased by 18% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a pronounced descent. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Coated Printing and Writing Papers in MENA

In value terms, coated printing and writing paper production contracted modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Coated Printing and Writing Papers

Exports in MENA

In 2021, approx. X tons of coated printing and writing papers were exported in MENA; rising by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 89%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, coated printing and writing paper exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 56%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the major exporter of coated printing and writing papers in MENA, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was approx. 49% of total exports in 2021. Egypt (X tons) took a 21% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Turkey (19%). Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +9.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Egypt (+16.2%) and Turkey (+10.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Egypt emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +16.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Lebanon (-11.4%) and Saudi Arabia (-25.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+27 p.p.), Egypt (+15 p.p.) and Turkey (+11 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Lebanon and Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -3.5% and -40.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Turkey ($X) and Egypt ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 91% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Egypt, with a CAGR of +13.3%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 32%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while Lebanon ($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 (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Coated Printing and Writing Papers

Imports in MENA

Coated printing and writing paper imports rose significantly to X tons in 2021, picking up by 13% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, coated printing and writing paper imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of coated printing and writing paper imports in 2021 were Turkey (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Egypt (X tons), together reaching 72% of total import. It was distantly followed by Israel (X tons) and Algeria (X tons), together committing an 11% share of total imports. Morocco (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Egypt (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest coated printing and writing paper importing markets in MENA were Turkey ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a combined 57% share of total imports. Egypt, Israel, Algeria and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

Among the main importing countries, Egypt, with a CAGR of +6.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, rising by 6.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 16% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Egypt ($X per ton) and Morocco ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) and Algeria ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform