MENA: O-Xylene Market 2025

O-Xylene Market Size in MENA

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the MENA's o-xylene market, when its value decreased by -11.7% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

O-Xylene Production in MENA

In value terms, o-xylene production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 6.3%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

O-Xylene Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, overseas shipments of o-xylene increased by 62% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 94% against the previous year. 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, o-xylene exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt slump. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Israel (X tons) was the key exporter of o-xylene, making up 57% of total exports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Iran (X tons) and Oman (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 43% share of total exports.

Exports from Israel decreased at an average annual rate of -2.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+52.7%) and Oman (+4.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +52.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Iran (-12.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Oman increased by +20, +11 and +11 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Israel ($X) remains the largest o-xylene supplier in MENA, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Oman, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Israel stood at -3.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+46.7% per year) and Oman (+3.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 26% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced contraction. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Israel ($X per ton), while Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (-0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

O-Xylene Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, approx. X tons of o-xylene were imported in MENA; declining by -91.9% on 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 260%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, o-xylene imports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, imports faced a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 510% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then declined notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia was the major importer of o-xylene in MENA, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 50% of total imports in 2022. Morocco (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 19% share, followed by Tunisia (12%). Iran (X tons), Jordan (X tons), Libya (X tons) and Oman (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

Saudi Arabia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the o-xylene imports, with a CAGR of +38.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Iran (+3.4%) and Libya (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Tunisia (-3.0%), Oman (-9.7%), Morocco (-24.8%) and Jordan (-25.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+50 p.p.), Tunisia (+8.6 p.p.), Iran (+3.8 p.p.) and Libya (+2.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Jordan (-10.7 p.p.) and Morocco (-43.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported o-xylene in MENA, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Morocco ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Iran, with an 8.6% share.

In Saudi Arabia, o-xylene imports increased at an average annual rate of +10.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Morocco (-27.3% per year) and Iran (+17.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -6.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the import price increased by 69% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

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 Iran ($X per ton), while Jordan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iran (+13.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform