Middle East: Waste Cork Market 2025

Waste Cork Market Size in the Middle East

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in the Middle Eastern waste cork market, when its value decreased by -1.3% to $X. Overall, consumption saw pronounced growth. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Waste Cork Production in the Middle East

In value terms, waste cork production shrank slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 111% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Waste Cork Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, shipments abroad of waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork was finally on the rise to reach X tons after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports recorded a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 398%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, waste cork exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 194%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Israel represented the main exporter of waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork in the Middle East, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was near 67% of total exports in 2021. Lebanon (X tons) took a 10% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the United Arab Emirates (7.3%), Saudi Arabia (6.7%) and Iran (6.3%). Turkey (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

Israel was also the fastest-growing in terms of the waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork exports, with a CAGR of +66.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Lebanon (+41.8%), Turkey (+15.5%), the United Arab Emirates (+7.2%) and Iran (+4.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-3.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Israel (+67 p.p.) and Lebanon (+8.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -9.1%, -11.5% and -33% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Israel ($X) emerged as the largest waste cork supplier in the Middle East, comprising 46% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Iran ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Israel stood at +47.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iran (+18.0% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+15.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, waning by -16.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 81%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while Israel ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+13.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Waste Cork Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, imports of waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork in the Middle East reached X tons, increasing by 12% on 2020. In general, imports recorded a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 513% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, waste cork imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 270% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Turkey represented the main importer of waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork in the Middle East, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 68% of total imports in 2021. Israel (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the United Arab Emirates (11%). Palestine (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+15.1%), Israel (+5.3%) and Palestine (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +15.1% from 2012-2021. Turkey (+9.2 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (+5.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork in the Middle East, comprising 73% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Israel, with an 8% share.

In Turkey, waste cork imports expanded at an average annual rate of +13.4% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+18.7% per year) and Israel (+5.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 13% against the previous year. Import price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the import price increased by 71%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see gradual 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 the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Israel ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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