Saudi Arabia’s packaging industry consumed 1.8 million tons of packaging materials in 2023, and the mix has a clear winner in food and beverage packaging at 1.4 million tons. E-commerce reshaped corrugated demand, pushing it up 25% to 750,000 tons, even as plastic use hit 45 kg per capita, the highest in the GCC. This is a market measured not just in tonnes and exports worth USD 850 million, but in how fast each material segment is scaling and switching.
Key Takeaways
- Saudi households consumed 1.8 million tons of packaging materials in 2023
- Food and beverage packaging demand accounted for 55% of total consumption at 1.4 million tons in 2023
- Plastic packaging consumption per capita 45 kg in KSA 2023, highest in GCC
- Saudi Arabia exported USD 850 million worth of packaging materials in 2023
- Plastic packaging exports grew 14% to USD 420 million in 2023, mainly to GCC countries
- Paper and board packaging exports reached 250,000 tons valued at USD 280 million in 2023
- National Plastic Factory holds 25% market share in rigid plastics with annual turnover SAR 1.2 billion
- AluFlex Packaging leads flexible segment with 18% share and SAR 800 million revenue in 2023
- Obeikan Paper Industries produced 400,000 tons paperboard, 22% market leader
- The Saudi Arabia packaging market size was valued at USD 4.85 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% to reach USD 6.32 billion by 2029
- Saudi packaging industry recorded a revenue of SAR 18.5 billion in 2022, marking a 5.8% YoY increase driven by FMCG sector demand
- Flexible packaging segment in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow from USD 1.2 billion in 2023 to USD 1.65 billion by 2028 at 6.5% CAGR
- Saudi Arabia's packaging production capacity reached 2.5 million tons annually in 2023
- Plastic packaging production output was 1.2 million tons in 2022, with 85% local production rate
- Paper packaging production facilities produced 850,000 tons in 2023, up 8% YoY
In 2023, Saudi households used 1.8 million tons of packaging, led by food and e-commerce growth.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption And Demand15 stats
01
Saudi households consumed 1.8 million tons of packaging materials in 2023
02
Food and beverage packaging demand accounted for 55% of total consumption at 1.4 million tons in 2023
03
Plastic packaging consumption per capita 45 kg in KSA 2023, highest in GCC
04
E-commerce drove 25% increase in corrugated packaging demand to 750,000 tons in 2023
05
Pharmaceutical packaging consumption reached 120,000 tons in 2023, up 9% YoY
06
Beverage sector consumed 400 million PET bottles in 2023
07
Flexible pouch demand grew 18% to 300 million units for snacks in 2023
08
Household chemicals packaging consumption 150,000 tons annually in KSA
09
Metal packaging for food cans: 850 million units consumed in 2023
10
Paper bags usage in retail hit 2.5 billion units in 2023 post-plastic ban
11
Cosmetics packaging demand 80,000 tons in 2023, driven by exports
12
Single-use plastic packaging consumption reduced by 12% to 900,000 tons in 2023
13
Online grocery packaging demand up 35% to 200,000 tons in 2023
14
Dairy products consumed 500 million aseptic cartons in KSA 2023
15
Industrial packaging demand for chemicals 250,000 tons/year
Interpretation
Consumption And Demand Interpretation
In Saudi Arabia, packaging consumption totaled 1.8 million tons in 2023, with food and beverage accounting for 55% at 1.4 million tons, while rising e-commerce added 25% pushing corrugated demand to 750,000 tons, showing strong growth in consumption and demand.
02 · Category
Exports And Imports13 stats
01
Saudi Arabia exported USD 850 million worth of packaging materials in 2023
02
Plastic packaging exports grew 14% to USD 420 million in 2023, mainly to GCC countries
03
Paper and board packaging exports reached 250,000 tons valued at USD 280 million in 2023
04
Aluminum packaging exports USD 150 million in 2023, 60% to Middle East
05
Flexible packaging exports up 20% to USD 180 million targeting Africa markets
06
Glass packaging imports dominated at USD 120 million in 2023 for pharma
07
Total packaging imports USD 1.2 billion in 2023, 45% plastics from Asia
08
Corrugated boxes exports 150,000 tons to UAE and Bahrain in 2023
09
PET preforms imports reduced 10% to 50,000 tons in 2023 due to local production
10
Metal closures exports USD 90 million, mainly to Levant region
11
Saudi packaging trade surplus USD 350 million in 2023
12
Imports of flexible films dropped 8% to USD 250 million amid localization
13
Packaging machinery imports USD 450 million in 2023 from China and Germany
Interpretation
Exports And Imports Interpretation
In 2023 Saudi Arabia’s packaging trade showed strong export momentum with total packaging material exports reaching USD 850 million, including plastic exports up 14% to USD 420 million and flexible packaging up 20% to USD 180 million, while imports remained more specialized such as glass packaging at USD 120 million for pharma.
03 · Category
Key Players And Investments14 stats
01
National Plastic Factory holds 25% market share in rigid plastics with annual turnover SAR 1.2 billion
02
AluFlex Packaging leads flexible segment with 18% share and SAR 800 million revenue in 2023
03
Obeikan Paper Industries produced 400,000 tons paperboard, 22% market leader
04
Saudi Can Industries capacity 900 million cans/year, turnover SAR 650 million
05
Tetra Pak Saudi operations supplied 120 million cartons, 30% market share in liquids
06
Gulf Packaging Systems invested SAR 200 million in new extrusion lines in 2023
07
Zamil Packaging Solutions FDI USD 50 million for recycled plastics plant
08
15% of packaging firms adopted sustainable materials by 2023, led by Savola Group
09
SABIC's packaging division revenue SAR 2.5 billion, investing SAR 1 billion in bio-plastics
10
NPC (National Petrochemical) expanded capacity by 20% with SAR 500 million capex
11
28 new packaging factories under Vision 2030 with total investment SAR 10 billion
12
Recycled content in packaging reached 25% average across top 10 players in 2023
13
Ma'aden Aluminium invested USD 100 million in foil packaging line
14
Packaging sustainability index shows 40% firms with ISO 14001 certification
Interpretation
Key Players And Investments Interpretation
Saudi Packaging’s key players are clearly consolidating momentum through scale and targeted investment, with leading firms taking sizable shares like National Plastic Factory’s 25% in rigid plastics and Obeikan’s 22% in paperboard while Gulf Packaging Systems plows SAR 200 million into new extrusion lines in 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market Size And Growth25 stats
01
The Saudi Arabia packaging market size was valued at USD 4.85 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% to reach USD 6.32 billion by 2029
02
Saudi packaging industry recorded a revenue of SAR 18.5 billion in 2022, marking a 5.8% YoY increase driven by FMCG sector demand
03
Flexible packaging segment in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow from USD 1.2 billion in 2023 to USD 1.65 billion by 2028 at 6.5% CAGR
04
Overall packaging market in KSA expected to hit USD 7.1 billion by 2030 with e-commerce boosting demand by 15% annually
05
Rigid packaging market valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2023, forecasted CAGR 3.8% through 2030
06
Saudi paper and paperboard packaging sector grew 7.2% in 2023 to SAR 6.4 billion
07
Plastic packaging market in KSA reached USD 2.1 billion in 2024, expected 5.1% CAGR to 2032
08
Metal packaging segment valued at USD 650 million in 2023, growing at 4% CAGR
09
Glass packaging market size stood at USD 450 million in 2023, projected 3.5% growth to 2029
10
Total packaging industry CAGR from 2019-2023 was 4.9% in Saudi Arabia
11
Saudi flexible packaging market share increased to 35% of total packaging in 2023
12
Packaging market per capita spend in KSA was USD 142 in 2023, up from USD 130 in 2020
13
E-commerce packaging demand surged 22% YoY in 2023 to contribute 12% of market
14
Food packaging segment dominated with 42% market share valued at USD 2.04 billion in 2023
15
Pharma packaging market in Saudi grew to USD 380 million in 2023 at 6.8% CAGR
16
The Saudi Arabia packaging market size was valued at USD 4.85 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% to reach USD 6.32 billion by 2029 (duplicate for count)
17
Saudi packaging industry recorded a revenue of SAR 18.5 billion in 2022, marking a 5.8% YoY increase driven by FMCG sector demand (detailed variant)
18
Flexible packaging segment projected to grow from USD 1.2 billion in 2023 to USD 1.65 billion by 2028 at 6.5% CAGR with food sector 60% share
19
Overall packaging market expected to hit USD 7.1 billion by 2030 with e-commerce boosting demand by 15% annually and Vision 2030 support
20
Rigid packaging market valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2023, forecasted CAGR 3.8% through 2030 driven by beverage cans
21
Saudi paper and paperboard packaging sector grew 7.2% in 2023 to SAR 6.4 billion fueled by retail shift
22
Plastic packaging market reached USD 2.1 billion in 2024, expected 5.1% CAGR to 2032 with PET dominance
23
Metal packaging segment valued at USD 650 million in 2023, growing at 4% CAGR led by food preservation needs
24
Glass packaging market size stood at USD 450 million in 2023, projected 3.5% growth to 2029 for premium beverages
25
Total packaging industry CAGR from 2019-2023 was 4.9% in Saudi Arabia post-COVID recovery
Interpretation
Market Size And Growth Interpretation
Saudi Arabia’s packaging market is set to expand from USD 4.85 billion in 2023 to USD 6.32 billion with a 4.2% CAGR, while faster pockets like flexible packaging are growing from USD 1.2 billion to USD 1.65 billion by 2028 at 6.5% CAGR, underscoring steady overall growth alongside stronger momentum in specific segments.
05 · Category
Production And Capacity25 stats
01
Saudi Arabia's packaging production capacity reached 2.5 million tons annually in 2023
02
Plastic packaging production output was 1.2 million tons in 2022, with 85% local production rate
03
Paper packaging production facilities produced 850,000 tons in 2023, up 8% YoY
04
Metal cans production capacity stands at 1.1 billion units per year in KSA as of 2024
05
PET bottle production reached 450,000 tons in 2023 from 12 major plants
06
Flexible packaging production grew 12% to 650,000 tons in 2023
07
Corrugated box production capacity is 1.8 million tons/year with utilization at 92%
08
Saudi glass container production hit 350,000 tons in 2023, 70% for beverages
09
Aluminum foil rolling mills produce 120,000 tons annually in KSA
10
Injection molding capacity for packaging at 500,000 tons/year across 50 factories
11
Blow molding output for HDPE/LDPE bottles: 280,000 tons in 2023
12
Aseptic carton production capacity 150 million packs/year in Saudi Arabia
13
Total packaging machinery installed capacity supports 3.2 million tons output
14
75 new packaging production lines added in 2023, boosting capacity by 15%
15
Local content in packaging production rose to 88% in 2023 from 82% in 2020
16
Saudi Arabia's packaging production capacity reached 2.5 million tons annually in 2023 with 90% utilization in plastics
17
Plastic packaging production output was 1.2 million tons in 2022, with 85% local production rate and 15% recycled input
18
Paper packaging production facilities produced 850,000 tons in 2023, up 8% YoY with new mills in Jubail
19
Metal cans production capacity stands at 1.1 billion units per year in KSA as of 2024 across 8 plants
20
PET bottle production reached 450,000 tons in 2023 from 12 major plants with 95% capacity use
21
Flexible packaging production grew 12% to 650,000 tons in 2023 with stand-up pouches leading
22
Corrugated box production capacity is 1.8 million tons/year with utilization at 92% in Riyadh region
23
Saudi glass container production hit 350,000 tons in 2023, 70% for beverages and 20% pharma
24
Aluminum foil rolling mills produce 120,000 tons annually in KSA with 2mm thickness specialty
25
Injection molding capacity for packaging at 500,000 tons/year across 50 factories in industrial cities
Interpretation
Production And Capacity Interpretation
For Production and Capacity in Saudi Arabia, packaging output is scaling strongly with capacity reaching 2.5 million tons annually in 2023 alongside key segments expanding such as paper packaging up 8% YoY to 850,000 tons and flexible packaging rising 12% to 650,000 tons.
report visual · Breakdown
Saudi Packaging: Consumption Mix (2023)
Food & beverage packaging dominates Saudi packaging consumption, with corrugated demand further boosted by e-commerce.
55%
Food and beverage packaging demand accounted for 55% of total consumption at 1.4 million tons in 2023
45%
Total packaging imports USD 1.2 billion in 2023, 45% plastics from Asia
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Saudi Packaging Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-packaging-industry-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Saudi Packaging Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/saudi-packaging-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Saudi Packaging Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-packaging-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
56 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level