Middle East: Magnetic Card Market 2025

Magnetic Card Market Size in the Middle East

In 2021, the Middle Eastern magnetic card market was finally on the rise to reach $X after three years of decline. In general, consumption, however, saw a pronounced setback. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Magnetic Card Production in the Middle East

In value terms, magnetic card production rose sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 24%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Magnetic Card Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, magnetic card exports in the Middle East dropped dramatically to X units, with a decrease of -49.3% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports saw a precipitous decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 192%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, magnetic card exports shrank to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 58%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the main exporting country with an export of around X units, which recorded 54% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X units), Israel (X units) and Saudi Arabia (X units), together creating a 44% share of total exports. Jordan (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from the United Arab Emirates decreased at an average annual rate of -24.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Turkey (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +2.0% from 2012-2021. Jordan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Israel (-18.5%) and Saudi Arabia (-25.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Turkey (+22 p.p.), Israel (+2.8 p.p.) and Jordan (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Saudi Arabia (-5.8 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (-20.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest magnetic card supplier in the Middle East, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Jordan ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Israel, with a 9.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at -1.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Jordan (+21.5% per year) and Israel (-15.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per unit in 2021, surging by 76% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a significant expansion. As a result, the export 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 exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per unit), while Turkey ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+29.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Magnetic Card Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, approx. X units of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe were imported in the Middle East; growing by 28% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports, however, saw a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, magnetic card imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X units), the United Arab Emirates (X units), Palestine (X units) and Iran (X units) represented roughly 81% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Kuwait (X units) and Jordan (X units), together constituting an 11% share of total imports. The following importers - Iraq (X units) and Lebanon (X units) - each accounted for a 4.1% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Palestine (with a CAGR of +25.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Jordan ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Iraq ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 81% of total imports.

Jordan, with a CAGR of +42.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per unit, increasing by 19% against the previous year. Import price indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 46% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per unit in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Jordan ($X per unit), while Palestine (less than $X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+38.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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