Saudi Arabia: Flat Glass Market 2024

Flat Glass Market Size in Saudi Arabia

In 2021, the Saudi flat glass market decreased by -4.4% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +51.6% against 2016 indices. Flat glass consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Flat Glass Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, flat glass production shrank slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +67.3% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Flat glass production peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Flat Glass Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2021, flat glass exports from Saudi Arabia contracted modestly to X tons, reducing by -4.5% on 2020 figures. Overall, total exports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -28.1% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, flat glass exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +10.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +51.2% against 2019 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Bahrain (X tons) was the main destination for flat glass exports from Saudi Arabia, with a 27% share of total exports. Moreover, flat glass exports to Bahrain exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Jordan (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Ecuador (X tons), with a 6.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Bahrain stood at +30.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Jordan (-3.6% per year) and Ecuador (+46.5% per year).

In value terms, Bahrain ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for flat glass exports from Saudi Arabia, comprising 38% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Jordan ($X), with an 8.1% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Bahrain stood at +43.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Jordan (+0.9% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+9.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average flat glass export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 56% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, flat glass export price increased by +95.8% against 2012 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+12.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Flat Glass Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of flat glass, when their volume decreased by -29.1% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 92% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, flat glass imports dropped to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 66% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main suppliers of flat glass imports to Saudi Arabia, together accounting for 89% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +42.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Belgium ($X) appeared to be the largest flat glass suppliers to Saudi Arabia, with a combined 85% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Russia and Egypt, which together accounted for a further 7.6%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Egypt, with a CAGR of +5.6%, 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 a decline.

Import Prices by Country

The average flat glass import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a abrupt downturn. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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