MENA: Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market 2025

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in MENA

The MENA's non-corrugated paper box market dropped to $X in 2022, waning by -9.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, enjoyed strong growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Production in MENA

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, posted a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 61% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, approx. X tons of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard were exported in MENA; rising by 14% compared with 2021 figures. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box exports surged to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 52% of total exports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the United Arab Emirates (13%) and Egypt (6.5%). Israel (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Jordan (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to non-corrugated paper box exports from Turkey stood at +7.0%. At the same time, Tunisia (+13.2%), Israel (+2.4%), Kuwait (+2.1%) and the United Arab Emirates (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tunisia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +13.2% from 2012-2022. Egypt experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Jordan (-12.5%) and Saudi Arabia (-14.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Tunisia increased by +32, +4.4, +1.9 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest non-corrugated paper box supplier in MENA, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey stood at +9.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (-10.8% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+7.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5.4% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.0%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+8.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, overseas purchases of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard increased by 7.6% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box imports rose significantly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Algeria (X tons), distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Libya (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Iran (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) represented the key importers of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard, together comprising 72% of total imports. Bahrain (X tons), Iraq (X tons), Israel (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Oman (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +15.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Algeria ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Egypt ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 45% share of total imports. Libya, Iran, Turkey, Israel, Morocco, Tunisia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 47%.

Oman, with a CAGR of +12.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of 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, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 11%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, 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 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iraq (+6.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform