MENA: Natural Polymers Market 2024

Natural Polymers Market Size in MENA

The MENA's natural polymers market reduced to $X in 2021, which is down by -9.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a slight downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 8.1% against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Natural Polymers Production in MENA

In value terms, natural polymers production contracted slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 15%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2016; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Natural Polymers Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, the amount of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms exported in MENA skyrocketed to X tons, surging by 37% compared with 2020. Overall, exports posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 211% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, natural polymers exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 112%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Israel (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together comprising 80% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons), constituting a 9.7% share of total exports. Egypt (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Israel (with a CAGR of +107.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Israel ($X) remains the largest natural polymers supplier in MENA, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 10% share.

In Israel, natural polymers exports expanded at an average annual rate of +68.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+7.6% per year) and Turkey (+8.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, surging by 3.6% against the previous year. Export price indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, natural polymers export price decreased by -0.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the export price increased by 44% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Egypt ($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 (+7.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Natural Polymers Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, supplies from abroad of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms decreased by -31% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, natural polymers imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the largest importer of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms in MENA, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was approx. 31% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Qatar (X tons), together committing a 51% share of total imports. Iran (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Qatar (+21.4%), Kuwait (+10.4%) and Turkey (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +21.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Oman (-2.0%), Saudi Arabia (-4.3%) and Iran (-16.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+11 p.p.), Qatar (+5.6 p.p.), Kuwait (+4.9 p.p.) and Turkey (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Saudi Arabia (-6.1 p.p.) and Iran (-13.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest natural polymers importing markets in MENA were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Turkey ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X), with a combined 60% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Iran, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, which together accounted for a further 18%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Qatar, with a CAGR of +16.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 68% against the previous year. Import price indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while Kuwait ($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 (+15.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform