Feb 7, 2025

Qatar Printing Ink Imports

In 2024, purchases abroad of printing ink increased by 18% to 725 tons, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, total imports indicated a notable increase from 2014 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +98.1% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 58%. Imports peaked in 2024 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, printing ink imports expanded markedly to $4.4M (IndexBox estimates) in 2024. Over the period under review, total imports indicated moderate growth from 2014 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +120.9% against 2021 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 111%. Imports peaked at $5M in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2024, India (451 tons) constituted the largest printing ink supplier to Qatar, accounting for a 62% share of total imports. Moreover, printing ink imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Saudi Arabia (129 tons), threefold. China (57 tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.8% share.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume from India amounted to +74.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (+19.7% per year) and China (+18.2% per year).

In value terms, India ($1.5M) constituted the largest supplier of printing ink to Qatar, comprising 33% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($523K), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 9.4% share.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value from India stood at +57.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (+18.1% per year) and the UK (-1.8% per year).

Imports by Type

In 2024, color printing ink (643 tons) constituted the largest type of printing ink supplied to Qatar, accounting for a 89% share of total imports. Moreover, color printing ink exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, black printing ink (82 tons), eightfold.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of color printing ink imports totaled +22.7%.

In value terms, color printing ink ($3.5M) constituted the largest type of printing ink supplied to Qatar, comprising 80% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by black printing ink ($909K), with a 20% share of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

In 2024, the printing ink price stood at $6,133 per ton (CIF, Qatar), with a decrease of -6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a slight decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $8,718 per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($36,183 per ton), while the price for India ($3,286 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2014 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+23.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the printing ink market in Qatar. 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.

Product coverage:

• Prodcom 20302450 – Black printing inks
• Prodcom 20302470 – Printing inks (excluding black)

Country coverage:

Data coverage:

• Market volume and value
• Per Capita consumption
• Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
• Trade (exports and imports) in Qatar
• Export and import prices
• Market trends, drivers and restraints
• Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

• Take advantage of the latest data
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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:

1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
2. How to load your idle production capacity
3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
4. How to increase your profit margins
5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
7. How to outsource production to other countries
8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

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.