Middle East: Natural Polymers Market 2025

Natural Polymers Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern natural polymers market dropped to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -10.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the market value increased by 7.3%. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Natural Polymers Production in the Middle East

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 +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 15% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2016; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Natural Polymers Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, natural polymers exports in the Middle East skyrocketed to X tons, with an increase of 49% against the year before. Overall, exports continue to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 257% 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 skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports posted buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 165% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Israel (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) were the largest exporters of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms in the Middle East, together mixing up 84% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons), committing a 10% share of total exports. The following exporters - Kuwait (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons) - together made up 4.7% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Israel (with a CAGR of +107.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Israel ($X) remains the largest natural polymers supplier in the Middle East, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 20% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Israel amounted to +68.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+7.6% per year) and Turkey (+8.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -2.7% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 30%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Israel ($X per ton), while Bahrain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Natural Polymers Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, supplies from abroad of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms decreased by -32% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 25%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, natural polymers imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% 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 28%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the key importer of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms, committing 34% of total imports. Turkey (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Saudi Arabia (15%), Kuwait (8.8%), Oman (8.2%) and Qatar (7.3%). Iran (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to natural polymers imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +4.3%. 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 the Middle East, 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 (+6.1 p.p.), Kuwait (+5.3 p.p.) and Turkey (+3.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Saudi Arabia (-6.7 p.p.) and Iran (-15.1 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 the Middle East were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Turkey ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X), together accounting for 67% of total imports. Iran, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

Among the main importing countries, Qatar, with a CAGR of +16.1%, recorded 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 the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 70% against the previous year. Import price indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, natural polymers import price increased by +78.0% against 2017 indices. As a result, import price attained 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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :