Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Saudi Arabia showed significant fluctuations. The market grew to 290.1 thousand tonnes in 2019, but then contracted to 248.2 thousand tonnes in 2020 and further to 222.7 thousand tonnes in 2021, primarily due to supply chain disruptions and reduced imports during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sharp recovery followed in 2022, with the market reaching 321.8 thousand tonnes, driven by increased investments in advanced packaging technologies inspired by European trends and growing market expectations.

The local industry saw continuous development, with the establishment and ongoing modernization of the Saudi Paper Manufacturing Company, which focused on improving production quality, sustainability through recycling, and reducing reliance on imported pulp. The entry of new players such as Wyatt and Sultan tissues factories in 2020 introduced competitive high-quality products, enhancing market diversity. In 2024, the company announced positive preliminary financial results and a feasibility study for a new toilet paper factory aimed at meeting local and regional demand.

Consumer preferences shifted towards sterilized and fragrant tissue products, especially during the pandemic, prompting companies to expand into new segments like scented wipes and products with printed packaging for hotels and restaurants. The emergence of specialized online stores for paper tissues changed distribution channels, making products more accessible to consumers and reflecting an evolution in retail.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia ranked 25th globally in the production volume of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets.

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, Saudi Arabia produced 192.0 K t of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, showing little change from the previous year. The most significant fluctuations occurred in 2018, with both the largest decline and increase recorded at 0.0%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

The export market displayed an unstable trend during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 at 5.4 K t and reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1.3 K t, representing a 4.2-fold difference. In 2020, shipments from Saudi Arabia abroad amounted to 1.3 K t, marking a sharp decline of 74.6% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 131.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kuwait (52.3% of exports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (14.3%), and Bahrain (13.6%) formed the primary cluster of markets for exports in kind, collectively accounting for 80.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Saudi Arabia's household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 3.2 M $ US, representing a significant decrease of 48.8% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 27.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7.2 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 65.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Kuwait (55.3% of exports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (13.6%), and Bahrain (12.6%) remained the key partners in exports in value terms, together accounting for 81.5% of total flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Saudi Arabia reached 57.5 K t, corresponding to a 44.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 46.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 14.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (34.7% of imports in kind), Egypt (22.4%), and Jordan (22.1%) remained the key partners in imports in kind, together accounting for 79.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, foreign supplies of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Saudi Arabia declined. In 2020, Saudi Arabia imported approximately 61.6 M $ US, marking a steep decline of 53.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 49.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 20.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 133.3 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 6.6%.

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

Over 2017–2020, the United Arab Emirates (36.1% of imports in value terms), Jordan (22.5%), and Egypt (22.0%) together absorbed 80.6% of total imports in value terms of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Saudi Arabia, making them the main directions.

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

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