Saudi Arabia: Lime Market 2025

Lime Market Size in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi lime market fell to $X in 2021, reducing by -11.7% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a deep slump. Lime consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, lime production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Lime Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

Lime exports from Saudi Arabia surged to X tons in 2021, growing by 32% on 2020. Overall, exports showed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 194% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports totaled $X in 2021. In general, exports enjoyed prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 189% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Bahrain (X tons) was the main destination for lime exports from Saudi Arabia, accounting for a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, lime exports to Bahrain exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Eritrea (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Jordan (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Bahrain totaled +48.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Eritrea (+64.9% per year) and Jordan (+30.5% per year).

In value terms, Bahrain ($X) remains the key foreign market for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime exports from Saudi Arabia, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Eritrea ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Jordan, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Bahrain totaled +44.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Eritrea (+63.2% per year) and Jordan (+26.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lime export price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -14.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a slight contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 5.5% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Jordan ($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 Oman (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Lime Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

In 2021, purchases abroad of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime increased by 53% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, recorded a dramatic decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 217%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a sharp shrinkage. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X tons) was the main supplier of lime to Saudi Arabia, with a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the UK amounted to +44.2%.

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to Saudi Arabia.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from the UK totaled +22.7%.

Import Prices by Country

The average lime import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 436% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a significant increase. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for the UK.

From 2012 to 2021, the rate of growth in terms of prices for France amounted to +13.2% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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