Mar 1, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: Middle East – Handbags – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The handbag market in the Middle East is expected to experience growth in both volume and value terms, with a projected increase of +2.0% in volume and +3.1% in value from 2024 to 2035. This rise in demand is driven by various factors, contributing to an overall positive outlook for the market in the coming years.
Market Forecast
Driven by rising demand for handbag in the Middle East, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +2.0% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 138M units by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.6B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
Middle East’s Consumption of Handbags
After two years of decline, consumption of handbags increased by 23% to 111M units in 2024. In general, consumption, however, showed a noticeable slump. Over the period under review, consumption reached the maximum volume at 159M units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
The value of the handbag market in the Middle East contracted to $1.9B in 2024, leveling off at 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). Overall, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced setback. The level of consumption peaked at $2.6B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Consumption By Country
Turkey (66M units) remains the largest handbag consuming country in the Middle East, comprising approx. 59% of total volume. Moreover, handbag consumption in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United Arab Emirates (16M units), fourfold. Israel (5.6M units) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 5.1% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume in Turkey amounted to +2.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (-7.2% per year) and Israel (-2.7% per year).
In value terms, Turkey ($990M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($410M). It was followed by Qatar.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey totaled +3.0%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United Arab Emirates (-2.4% per year) and Qatar (+13.6% per year).
The countries with the highest levels of handbag per capita consumption in 2024 were Qatar (1,758 units per 1000 persons), the United Arab Emirates (1,568 units per 1000 persons) and Kuwait (978 units per 1000 persons).
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Qatar (with a CAGR of +14.4%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Production
Middle East’s Production of Handbags
Handbag production rose markedly to 85M units in 2024, surging by 7.9% against the previous year. The total production indicated a buoyant increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -6.9% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when the production volume increased by 38% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 91M units. From 2023 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, handbag production contracted to $770M in 2024 estimated in export price. The total production indicated slight growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production increased by +12.3% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 47%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $1B. From 2022 to 2024, production growth failed to regain momentum.
Production By Country
Turkey (83M units) remains the largest handbag producing country in the Middle East, comprising approx. 97% of total volume. It was followed by Kuwait (2.4M units), with a 2.8% share of total production.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey amounted to +5.4%.
Imports
Middle East’s Imports of Handbags
In 2024, supplies from abroad of handbags increased by 24% to 62M units for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 108%. The volume of import peaked at 112M units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, handbag imports totaled $1.8B in 2024. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +102.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2024 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.
Imports By Country
Turkey (17M units) and the United Arab Emirates (17M units) represented the largest importers of handbags in 2024, recording near 28% and 27% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Israel (6M units), Qatar (5.4M units) and Oman (5.2M units), together achieving a 27% share of total imports. The following importers – Saudi Arabia (2.6M units) and Iraq (2M units) – together made up 7.5% of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Qatar (with a CAGR of +17.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($612M), Turkey ($397M) and Saudi Arabia ($339M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 75% share of total imports. Qatar, Israel, Iraq and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.
Qatar, with a CAGR of +9.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports By Type
In 2024, handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials (49M units) represented the key type of handbags, committing 80% of total imports. Handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather (7.3M units) took the second position in the ranking, followed by handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (5.2M units). All these products together held near 20% share of total imports.
Imports of handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials decreased at an average annual rate of -5.3% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +2.7% from 2013-2024. By contrast, handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (-5.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather increased by +6.6 percentage points. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials ($898M), handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather ($822M) and handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard ($84M) appeared to be the products with the highest levels of imports in 2024.
Handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather, with a CAGR of +6.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Type
In 2024, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $29 per unit, which is down by -16.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, enjoyed a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 115% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $35 per unit in 2023, and then dropped significantly in the following year.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather ($113 per unit), while the price for handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard ($16 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (+11.2%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $29 per unit, reducing by -16.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 115% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $35 per unit in 2023, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($129 per unit), while Oman ($3.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+31.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
Middle East’s Exports of Handbags
In 2024, shipments abroad of handbags decreased by -7.7% to 36M units for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 44%. The volume of export peaked at 39M units in 2023, and then fell in the following year.
In value terms, handbag exports contracted to $207M in 2024. Total exports indicated a tangible increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $212M in 2023, and then fell slightly in the following year.
Exports By Country
Turkey prevails in exports structure, amounting to 34M units, which was near 96% of total exports in 2024. The United Arab Emirates (651K units) held a little share of total exports.
Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the handbags exports, with a CAGR of +14.7% from 2013 to 2024. the United Arab Emirates (-9.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of Turkey increased by +21 percentage points.
In value terms, Turkey ($133M) remains the largest handbag supplier in the Middle East, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($39M), with a 19% share of total exports.
In Turkey, handbag exports increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2013-2024.
Exports By Type
Handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials (20M units) and handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (15M units) dominates exports structure, together comprising 96% of total exports. Handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather (1.6M units) took a relatively small share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard (with a CAGR of +19.0%), while shipments for the other products experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.
In value terms, the largest types of exported handbags were handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather ($98M), handbags with outer surface of plastic sheeting or of textile materials ($78M) and handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard ($32M).
Handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, with a CAGR of +11.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Type
In 2024, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $5.8 per unit, with an increase of 6.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 7.4% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $14 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather ($61 per unit), while the average price for exports of handbags with outer surface of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard ($2.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by handbags with outer surface of leather, composition leather, or patent leather (+2.3%), while the other products experienced a decline in the export price figures.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $5.8 per unit, with an increase of 6.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $14 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the export prices failed to regain momentum.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($60 per unit), while Turkey totaled $3.9 per unit.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+20.1%).
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
