MENA: Asbestos Market 2025

Asbestos Market Size in MENA

After nine years of decline, the MENA's asbestos market increased by 3.9% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption saw a deep downturn. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Asbestos Production in MENA

In value terms, asbestos production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a pronounced descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 15%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Asbestos Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, approx. X tons of asbestoses were exported in MENA; rising by 27% against 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a sharp contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 158%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, asbestos exports rose markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a sharp decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 337% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Tunisia represented the largest exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 62% of total exports. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 26% share, followed by Algeria (13%).

Tunisia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the asbestoses exports, with a CAGR of +5.8% from 2012 to 2022. Algeria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Syrian Arab Republic (-13.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Tunisia (+59 p.p.), Syrian Arab Republic (+16 p.p.) and Algeria (+13 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Tunisia ($X) remains the largest asbestos supplier in MENA, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Syrian Arab Republic ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Tunisia totaled -5.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Syrian Arab Republic (-13.7% per year) and Algeria (0.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -14.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 69%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (-0.2%).

Asbestos Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, purchases abroad of asbestoses increased by 6.2% to X tons for the first time since 2012, thus ending a nine-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, saw a sharp descent. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, asbestos imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a precipitous shrinkage. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Iran represented the key importer of asbestoses in MENA, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 64% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons), together achieving a 34% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to asbestos imports into Iran stood at -35.9%. The United Arab Emirates (-7.9%) and Lebanon (-8.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon increased by +20 and +13 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Iran ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported asbestoses in MENA, comprising 86% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 9.5% share of total imports.

In Iran, asbestos imports contracted by an average annual rate of -26.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (-6.3% per year) and Lebanon (-4.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the import price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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 ($X per ton), while Lebanon ($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 (+14.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform