MENA: Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market 2025

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market Size in MENA

The MENA's unbleached sulphate pulp market dropped to $X in 2022, which is down by -11.6% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate resilient growth. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Production in MENA

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp production dropped markedly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a sharp shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 570%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Exports

Exports in MENA

For the third consecutive year, MENA recorded growth in overseas shipments of unbleached sulphate pulp, which increased by 82% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 190%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 76% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons), distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons) were the key exporters of unbleached sulphate pulp, together committing 100% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +222.2%).

In value terms, Turkey ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of +210.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -14.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a mild decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 106% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Turkey stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (-0.3%).

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, the amount of unbleached sulphate pulp imported in MENA reduced to X tons, falling by -11.1% against 2021. Total imports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +27.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 43%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp imports fell to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 103%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

Turkey was the key importer of unbleached sulphate pulp in MENA, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 47% of total imports in 2022. Tunisia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Iran (X tons). All these countries together held near 42% share of total imports. The following importers - Lebanon (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) - together made up 7.6% of total imports.

Imports into Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +9.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+193.9%), the United Arab Emirates (+26.8%), Lebanon (+22.9%) and Iran (+3.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +193.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-1.5%) and Tunisia (-5.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+21 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (+11 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+6.2 p.p.) and Lebanon (+3.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Syrian Arab Republic and Tunisia saw its share reduced by -1.6% and -23.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported unbleached sulphate pulp in MENA, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Tunisia, with an 11% share.

In Turkey, unbleached sulphate pulp imports expanded at an average annual rate of +13.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (+109.7% per year) and Tunisia (-3.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, growing by 1.7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($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 (+5.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform