MENA: Lime Market 2024

Lime Market Size in MENA

The MENA's lime market rose rapidly to $X in 2021, surging by 5.1% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Production in MENA

In value terms, lime production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 76% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Lime Exports

Exports in MENA

Lime exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, with an increase of 20% on the previous year. Total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +81.9% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 38%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, lime exports surged to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +29.3% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Oman (X tons) represented the largest exporters of lime in MENA, together generating 67% of total exports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) took a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Turkey (11%). Iran (X tons) and Israel (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Oman (with a CAGR of +31.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Oman ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 76% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +28.6%, 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

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -1.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Israel ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iran (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lime Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, overseas purchases of lime were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Overall, imports enjoyed a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 34%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime imports expanded notably to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -9.5% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 29% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Oman represented the main importer of lime in MENA, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 48% of total imports in 2021. Bahrain (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Israel (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 28% share of total imports. Palestine (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Jordan (X tons), Algeria (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Qatar (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Oman was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lime imports, with a CAGR of +49.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Bahrain (+23.6%), Jordan (+11.9%), Israel (+10.1%), Qatar (+1.4%) and Kuwait (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Egypt and Tunisia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Palestine (-2.1%), Algeria (-4.9%) and the United Arab Emirates (-14.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Oman (+45 p.p.) and Bahrain (+14 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Kuwait (-2.1 p.p.), Qatar (-2.4 p.p.), Tunisia (-3.1 p.p.), Egypt (-6 p.p.), Algeria (-7.2 p.p.), Palestine (-9.4 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (-18.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Oman ($X), Bahrain ($X) and Israel ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 67% of total imports.

Oman, with a CAGR of +40.0%, saw the highest growth rate of 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

In 2021, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+16.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform