Middle East: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2025

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern printing and writing paper market rose slightly to $X in 2021, growing by 4.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Printing and Writing Paper in the Middle East

In value terms, printing and writing paper production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a slight expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 69% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, shipments abroad of printing and writing paper decreased by -23% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 80% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then contracted notably in the following year.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 105%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the major exporter of printing and writing paper in the Middle East, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 67% of total exports in 2022. Turkey (X tons) held a 10% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Saudi Arabia (9.8%) and Israel (9.5%).

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the printing and writing paper exports, with a CAGR of +25.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Turkey (+3.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-1.3%) and Israel (-7.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+54 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Israel saw its share reduced by -4%, -11.6% and -31.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest printing and writing paper supplier in the Middle East, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Turkey ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Israel, with a 13% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, printing and writing paper exports increased at an average annual rate of +21.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+5.5% per year) and Israel (-6.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, surging by 3.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 14%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($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 (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, approx. X tons of printing and writing paper were imported in the Middle East; with a decrease of -2.4% on 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports recorded a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 12%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports rose significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the main importers of printing and writing paper in 2022, amounting to near 37% and 27% of total imports, respectively. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with an 8.6% share, followed by Israel (6.3%) and Iran (6.3%). Iraq (X tons), Lebanon (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iraq (with a CAGR of +13.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported printing and writing paper in the Middle East, comprising 44% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Israel, with an 8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey stood at +1.8%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+2.0% per year) and Israel (+2.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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