Middle East: Market for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2025

Market Size for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in the Middle East

After two years of decline, the Middle Eastern market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 26% to $X in 2021. The total consumption indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Production of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in the Middle East

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 54%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports in the Middle East

Cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports dropped modestly to X tons in 2021, stabilizing at the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 199% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports reduced notably to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 89% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which reached 55% of total exports. Turkey (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Jordan (X tons) and Iran (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 39% share of total exports. Saudi Arabia (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) exports, with a CAGR of +12.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Jordan (+7.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Iran (-1.7%), Turkey (-2.8%) and Saudi Arabia (-18.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+35 p.p.) and Jordan (+2.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Turkey and Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -9.7% and -20.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) supplying countries in the Middle East were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Turkey ($X) and Jordan ($X), with a combined 90% share of total exports.

Jordan, with a CAGR of +7.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -21.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 33%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then declined significantly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while Iran ($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 (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, supplies from abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Turkey was the main importer of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) in the Middle East, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 55% of total imports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Israel (X tons). All these countries together held near 25% share of total imports. The following importers - Kuwait (X tons), Iran (X tons), Qatar (X tons), Jordan (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons) - together made up 16% of total imports.

Imports into Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Qatar (+33.2%), Kuwait (+15.6%), Lebanon (+13.3%), Saudi Arabia (+13.0%) and Israel (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +33.2% from 2012-2021. Jordan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-2.8%) and Iran (-6.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+6.2 p.p.), Turkey (+3.7 p.p.), Qatar (+2.8 p.p.), Kuwait (+2.4 p.p.) and Lebanon (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Iran (-5.5 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (-5.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) in the Middle East, comprising 43% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 9% share.

In Turkey, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+11.3% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-1.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 13% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lebanon (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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