GCC's Non-Corrugated Paper and Paperboard Folding Cartons, Boxes, and Cases Market to Witness Modest Growth with +1.6% CAGR - News and Statistics - IndexBox

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IndexBox has just published a new report: GCC - Folding Cartons, Boxes And Cases Of Non-Corrugated Paper Or Paperboard - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

The demand for folding cartons, boxes, and cases in the GCC region is on the rise, leading to an expected increase in market consumption. By 2035, market volume is forecasted to reach 861K tons, with a value of $2.9B. Despite a slightly decelerating growth rate, the market is anticipated to expand with a CAGR of +1.6% in volume and +2.7% in value from 2024 to 2035.

Driven by increasing demand for folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard in GCC, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 861K tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.9B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Non-corrugated paper box consumption expanded sharply to 723K tons in 2024, surging by 6.6% on the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The size of the non-corrugated paper box market in GCC reduced to $2.2B in 2024, falling by -4.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The total consumption indicated moderate growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption increased by +53.2% against 2017 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $2.3B, and then dropped in the following year.

The country with the largest volume of non-corrugated paper box consumption was Saudi Arabia (439K tons), comprising approx. 61% of total volume. Moreover, non-corrugated paper box consumption in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United Arab Emirates (148K tons), threefold. Oman (67K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 9.2% share.

In Saudi Arabia, non-corrugated paper box consumption increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+1.6% per year) and Oman (+4.0% per year).

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($1.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($398M). It was followed by Oman.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Saudi Arabia stood at +3.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United Arab Emirates (+3.3% per year) and Oman (+5.6% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of non-corrugated paper box per capita consumption in 2024 were the United Arab Emirates (14 kg per person), Kuwait (14 kg per person) and Oman (12 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Kuwait (with a CAGR of +2.5%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Non-corrugated paper box production expanded rapidly to 724K tons in 2024, with an increase of 8.6% compared with the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. As a result, production attained the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box production reduced slightly to $2.3B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 16%. The level of production peaked at $2.4B in 2023, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Saudi Arabia (451K tons) remains the largest non-corrugated paper box producing country in GCC, accounting for 62% of total volume. Moreover, non-corrugated paper box production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United Arab Emirates (139K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Oman (66K tons), with a 9.2% share.

In Saudi Arabia, non-corrugated paper box production increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (-1.9% per year) and Oman (+4.2% per year).

Non-corrugated paper box imports dropped significantly to 41K tons in 2024, waning by -18.1% compared with 2023. Overall, imports recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when imports increased by 24%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at 76K tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box imports fell sharply to $165M in 2024. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 38%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $208M. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The United Arab Emirates represented the key importing country with an import of about 24K tons, which accounted for 60% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (13K tons) and Bahrain (2.2K tons), together mixing up a 38% share of total imports. Oman (867 tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +4.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, the largest non-corrugated paper box importing markets in GCC were the United Arab Emirates ($98M), Saudi Arabia ($53M) and Bahrain ($4.8M), together comprising 94% of total imports.

Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +4.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In 2024, the import price in GCC amounted to $4,052 per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. Import price indicated perceptible growth from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, non-corrugated paper box import price increased by +83.4% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 15% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $4,093 per ton in 2023, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Oman ($4,037 per ton), while Bahrain ($2,169 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+8.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, after four years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard, when their volume increased by 9.9% to 42K tons. In general, exports, however, recorded a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 50%. The volume of export peaked at 127K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box exports fell modestly to $144M in 2024. Overall, exports, however, showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 76% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $330M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Saudi Arabia represented the major exporting country with an export of around 25K tons, which accounted for 60% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (16K tons), committing a 38% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of -7.0%).

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($83M) and the United Arab Emirates ($59M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024.

Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of -5.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review.

In 2024, the export price in GCC amounted to $3,415 per ton, falling by -13.4% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $3,945 per ton in 2023, and then contracted in the following year.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($3,628 per ton), while Saudi Arabia amounted to $3,262 per ton.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+3.6%).

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the non-corrugated paper box market in GCC. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

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