Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls and sheets in the GCC grew from 369.5 тыс. т in 2018 to 447.3 тыс. т in 2019. It then stabilized at 448.5 тыс. т in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic drove a surge in demand for tissue products. Consumers' increased focus on personal hygiene led to stockpiling and higher sales, supporting a rise in domestic production to 361 тыс. т that year.

After a contraction to 363.6 тыс. т in 2021, market volume jumped to 478.8 тыс. т in 2022 before declining sharply to 295.1 тыс. т in 2023. During this period of volatility, Crown Paper Mill announced plans in 2022 to build a new tissue manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia with an annual capacity of 60 тыс. т, signaling continued investment in local production capacity.

Entering 2024, the market landscape was influenced by several developments. Manufacturing investments in Saudi Arabia expanded significantly, while a paper and tissue business group was established in Dubai to promote 'Made in UAE' products. Rising raw material costs due to global supply constraints also affected producers, and the ongoing emphasis on hygiene post-pandemic continued to shape consumer demand.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

In 2020, GCC countries produced 361.0 thousand tons of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, representing a 27.6% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 27.6% overall, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.5%. The most stable year was 2018, with no significant change in production levels.

Annual dynamics of production in GCC in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from GCC countries showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, GCC exported 45.6 thousand tons, marking a sharp increase of 134.6% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 19.4 thousand tons, while the largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 47.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from GCC in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from GCC countries was highly diversified. Jordan accounted for 4.1% of exports in kind, South Africa for 3.5%, and the United Kingdom for 3.5%, meaning these three countries together represented just 11.2% of total export flows. The remaining 88.8% was distributed among numerous other countries, indicating a broad market base.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from GCC in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from GCC countries in value terms grew for the third consecutive year in 2020. The total export value reached 175.5 million US dollars, up 13.6% from the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 185.4%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 41.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from GCC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan, Iran, and South Africa played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from GCC countries in value terms. Jordan accounted for 3.9% of exports, Iran for 3.4%, and South Africa for 3.4%, bringing their combined share to just 10.7% of total export value. This highlights the diversified nature of the export market.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from GCC in value, 2017-2020

Imports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, GCC countries imported 133.1 thousand tons of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, a decrease of 27.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 24.7%, with an average annual decrease of 9.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 111.6 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 183.7 thousand tons. The largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2018 with a 36.8% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 64.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to GCC in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to GCC countries in kind were not heavily concentrated among a few key suppliers. Indonesia accounted for 17.5% of imports, Jordan for 12.8%, and Egypt for 12.3%, meaning these three countries together represented only 42.7% of total import flows. This indicates a diverse sourcing pattern.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to GCC in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to GCC countries in value terms declined in 2020. The import value amounted to 154.6 million US dollars, representing a steep 33.3% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 26.5%, with an average annual decline of 9.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 231.7 million US dollars, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 with an 8.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to GCC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to GCC countries remained highly diversified. Indonesia accounted for 14.5% of imports, Jordan for 13.2%, and Egypt for 12.2%, meaning these three countries together represented only 39.9% of total import flows. The remaining 60.1% was spread across a wide range of smaller markets, forming a long tail of suppliers.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to GCC in value, 2017-2020