Paper and paperboard waste market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The Saudi Arabian market for paper and paperboard waste expanded in 2019, reaching 974 thousand tons, driven by new regulations from the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) that mandated the use of biodegradable materials in packaging. This increased demand for recycled paper, while tighter licensing requirements for waste collectors improved the supply of raw materials. The launch of the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) by the Public Investment Fund in 2020 further supported recycling infrastructure development.

Market volume stabilized around 934 thousand tons in 2021 as national recycling rates reached 5% and corporate waste collection programs expanded. However, from 2022 onward, the market contracted to 792 thousand tons by 2023, primarily due to a sharp increase in exports. This export growth was facilitated by capacity expansion at paper mills and major investments in recycling projects under Vision 2030, which aimed to meet both domestic and international demand.

In 2024, new cabinet regulations enhanced government oversight of waste collection activities, and the number of paper mills grew by 9.5% to 788 facilities. These developments underscored the ongoing policy drive toward a circular economy for paper waste, even as the domestic market volume was influenced by strong export activity.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia ranked 29th globally in the production of paper and paperboard waste.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Saudi Arabia produced 1 000 K t of paper and paperboard waste, remaining virtually unchanged from 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 Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, paper and paperboard waste production in Saudi Arabia increased in 2020. The output was valued at 159.6 M $ US, up by 17.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 135.5 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Saudi Arabia declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 145.4 K t, showing a solid decrease of 14.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 61.6%, with a CAGR of 27.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Saudi Arabia in terms of volume were India, accounting for 55.8% of exports, the United Arab Emirates at 17.2%, and Thailand at 7.6%. Together, these three countries formed 80.6% of total exports in kind.

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, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, the value of paper and paperboard waste exports from Saudi Arabia increased in 2020. Exports reached 23 202 K $ US, showing a slight rise of 0.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 63.5%, with a CAGR of 28.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 23 033 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, at 51.4%.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, the principal buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Saudi Arabia were India, with 59.1% of exports, the United Arab Emirates at 14.9%, and Yemen at 8.0%. These three countries jointly accounted for 82.0% of total exports in value terms.

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 paper and paperboard waste to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in import volumes during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Saudi Arabia imported 89.9 K t of paper and paperboard waste, down by 37.5% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 143.9 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 261.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest markets for imports in kind were the United States, Germany, and Jordan, together accounting for 71.0% 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, K $ US

Foreign supplies of paper and paperboard waste to Saudi Arabia increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 25 203 K $ US, up by 21.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 116.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 29.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of paper and paperboard waste imports to Saudi Arabia in value terms were the United States, with 51.5% of imports, Germany at 7.9%, and Finland at 5.7%. These three countries combined represented 65.1% of total import flows.

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

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