MENA: Chalk Market 2022

Chalk Market Size in MENA

In 2021, the MENA's chalk market decreased by -18.4% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then contracted remarkably in the following year.

Chalk Production in MENA

In value terms, chalk production reduced markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 25%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then declined notably in the following year.

Chalk Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, overseas shipments of chalks increased by 55% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, exports saw strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 75% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, chalk exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 56%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia prevails in exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 71% of total exports in 2021. Iran (X tons) took an 8.3% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Syrian Arab Republic (6.7%), Tunisia (5.9%) and Turkey (4.9%). Egypt (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Exports from Saudi Arabia increased at an average annual rate of +59.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Egypt (+84.0%), Tunisia (+55.2%) and Turkey (+16.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Egypt emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +84.0% from 2012-2021. Iran experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Syrian Arab Republic (-4.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Saudi Arabia (+66 p.p.), Tunisia (+5.3 p.p.) and Egypt (+2.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Iran and Syrian Arab Republic saw its share reduced by -28.4% and -42.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) remains the largest chalk supplier in MENA, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Iran ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Saudi Arabia stood at +43.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Iran (-4.0% per year) and Tunisia (+52.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -15.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 4.1%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Chalk Imports

Imports in MENA

Chalk imports expanded rapidly to X tons in 2021, picking up by 12% on 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 28%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, chalk imports declined to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 95% 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

The countries with the highest levels of chalk imports in 2021 were Kuwait (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons), together accounting for 87% of total import. It was distantly followed by Israel (X tons), constituting a 5% share of total imports. The following importers - Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) - each amounted to a 4.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Kuwait (with a CAGR of +40.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Kuwait ($X), Bahrain ($X) and Lebanon ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 65% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Bahrain, with a CAGR of +36.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -17% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 53%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform