Paper and paperboard waste market in Qatar

Earlier Report Observations

In 2019, Qatar's paper and paperboard waste market volume surged to 22 000 t, a 45% increase from the previous year. This jump was driven by the expansion of Elite Paper Recycling Company's operations, which, with substantial government support, scaled up waste collection efforts, also leading to a sharp rise in imports to meet the growing demand for raw material.

Following the peak, the market contracted in 2020 and 2021, falling to 15 000 t by 2021. This decline coincided with the introduction of ministerial decisions requiring waste sorting and the rollout of dedicated recycling bins across public spaces, which improved domestic collection efficiency and reduced reliance on imports. In 2022, the launch of the Zero Waste initiative and increased investments in recycling supported a modest market recovery to 15 600 t.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 15 000 t, fully supplied by domestic production. In 2024, developments continued through a partnership between Al Meera and Elite Recycling to expand collection, along with plans for a new plant that converts paper waste into new paper products, reinforcing the circular economy under Qatar's Vision 2030.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Qatar

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

In 2020, Qatar produced 15 000 tonnes of paper and paperboard waste, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Qatar in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Qatar

Based on desk-based market analysis, Qatar did not export any paper and paperboard waste from 2017 to 2020.

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Qatar

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 137 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 7 051 tonnes in 2019, representing a 5 049.7% increase. In 2020, cross-border shipments of paper and paperboard waste to Qatar totaled 4 157 tonnes, a 41.0% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 72.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Jordan, and China formed the core of Qatar's imports in kind, accounting for 83.0% of total flows. Specifically, Kuwait contributed 57.9%, Jordan 15.1%, and China 10.0% of imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes peaked in 2017 and bottomed out in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 7.2 times. In 2020, Qatar imported a total of {value_last_year} thousand US dollars of paper and paperboard waste, representing an 81.9% decline compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 197.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, the United States, and Saudi Arabia consistently held leading positions in the country structure of Qatar's imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 52.3% of total flows. Kuwait contributed 24.9%, the United States 14.3%, and Saudi Arabia 13.1% of imports in value terms.

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

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