Middle East: Market for Natural Rubber And Gums 2025

Market Size for Natural Rubber And Gums in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern natural rubber and gum market decreased by -7.1% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +19.7% against 2018 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Production of Natural Rubber And Gums in the Middle East

In value terms, natural rubber and gum production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of natural rubber and gum production, accounting for 71% of total volume. Moreover, natural rubber and gum production in the United Arab Emirates exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Kuwait (X tons), threefold.

In the United Arab Emirates, natural rubber and gum production increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kuwait (+2.3% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+309.5% per year).

Exports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of natural rubber and gums exported in the Middle East fell rapidly to X tons, with a decrease of -39.5% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, exports faced a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 848% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum exports plummeted to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 639% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Kuwait was the main exporter of natural rubber and gums in the Middle East, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 68% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons), together mixing up a 30% share of total exports. Israel (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to natural rubber and gum exports from Kuwait stood at +1.6%. At the same time, Turkey (+16.8%) and Israel (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +16.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-9.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Kuwait, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates increased by +52, +18 and +3 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Kuwait ($X) remains the largest natural rubber and gum supplier in the Middle East, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Turkey ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 9.6% share.

In Kuwait, natural rubber and gum exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+10.8% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-1.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, rising by 1.6% against the previous year. Export price indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, natural rubber and gum export price increased by +35.2% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 47% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Kuwait ($X per ton) and Israel ($X per ton), while Turkey ($X per ton) and the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+8.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, purchases abroad of natural rubber and gums decreased by -13.4% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, recorded a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 52%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum imports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +80.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 92%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons) and Iran (X tons) represented roughly 82% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), generating a 14% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +28.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), Iran ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 97% of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +22.2%, 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 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -2.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (-3.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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