MENA: Cotton Sewing Thread Market 2025

Cotton Sewing Thread Market Size in MENA

In 2021, the MENA's cotton sewing thread market was finally on the rise to reach $X after three years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Sewing Thread Production in MENA

In value terms, cotton sewing thread production fell slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 7.5% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Cotton Sewing Thread Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, shipments abroad of cotton sewing thread decreased by -7% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports, however, saw buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 126% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton sewing thread exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 67%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Turkey represented the largest exporter of cotton sewing thread in MENA, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 69% of total exports in 2021. Egypt (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 14% share, followed by Oman (8.8%). The following exporters - the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) - each recorded a 5.5% share of total exports.

Exports from Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +17.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Tunisia (+39.1%) and Oman (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tunisia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +39.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Egypt (-5.0%) and the United Arab Emirates (-6.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Turkey (+44 p.p.) and Tunisia (+2.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Oman (-3.3 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (-4.8 p.p.) and Egypt (-21 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest cotton sewing thread supplier in MENA, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Oman, with a 9.7% share.

In Turkey, cotton sewing thread exports increased at an average annual rate of +14.2% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Egypt (-3.2% per year) and Oman (-1.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 39% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a slight curtailment. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Egypt ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) 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 (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cotton Sewing Thread Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, purchases abroad of cotton sewing thread was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 17%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton sewing thread imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a abrupt setback. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the eleven major importers of cotton sewing thread, namely Algeria, Turkey, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt and Lebanon, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Yemen (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Oman (with a CAGR of +14.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cotton sewing thread importing markets in MENA were Morocco ($X), Turkey ($X) and Tunisia ($X), with a combined 53% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Oman, Yemen, Bahrain and Lebanon, which together accounted for a further 36%.

Oman, with a CAGR of +9.2%, recorded 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 mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild contraction. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iraq (+7.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform