Middle East: Bentonite Market 2024

Bentonite Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern bentonite market shrank markedly to $X in 2022, reducing by -25.9% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Bentonite Production in the Middle East

In value terms, bentonite production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production posted temperate growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 78% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Bentonite Exports

Exports in the Middle East

For the third consecutive year, the Middle East recorded growth in overseas shipments of bentonite, which increased by 68% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports enjoyed a strong increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, bentonite exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports posted a resilient expansion. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Turkey dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 96% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Iran (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) - each reached a 3.5% share of total exports.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the bentonite exports, with a CAGR of +13.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+6.9%) and Iran (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of Turkey (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Iran (-2.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest bentonite supplier in the Middle East, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 3.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey totaled +14.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+13.2% per year) and Iran (+0.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -21.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 38% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped remarkably in the following year.

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 the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+5.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Bentonite Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of bentonite imported in the Middle East amounted to X tons, increasing by 7.7% compared with the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, bentonite imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 31%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Saudi Arabia represented the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which amounted to 44% of total imports. Oman (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Israel (X tons). All these countries together held near 41% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Yemen (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to bentonite imports into Saudi Arabia stood at +7.8%. At the same time, Qatar (+16.7%), Kuwait (+12.9%), Yemen (+12.8%), Israel (+11.6%) and Oman (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +16.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-3.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Saudi Arabia (+13 p.p.), Israel (+5.2 p.p.), Qatar (+2.4 p.p.) and Kuwait (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Oman and the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -5.3% and -15.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported bentonite in the Middle East, comprising 39% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Israel ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with an 11% share.

In Saudi Arabia, bentonite imports increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Israel (+8.5% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-6.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the import price increased by 10% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Yemen ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :