The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) textile weaving and knitting machinery market experienced a notable contraction in 2024, according to the latest report by IndexBox. Despite the downturn in overall market value and imports, regional production remains strong, and key exporters like Turkey and the UAE are expanding their reach across global markets.
Market Highlights
- The MENA textile machinery market shrank by 7.4%, reaching a value of USD 8.8 billion.
- Total imports fell by 12.1% in volume, amounting to 50,000 units valued at USD 1.6 billion.
- Domestic production remained robust with 2 million units produced, generating USD 26.7 billion in value.
Export Momentum Grows
While the region exported only 18,000 units in 2024 (a 19.7% drop in volume), the value of exports increased to USD 179 million, signaling a shift towards higher-value machinery.
- Turkey led exports with 10,000 units valued at USD 137 million, capturing 59% of total MENA exports.
- UAE followed as the second-largest exporter, reflecting its growing importance as a regional trade hub.
Leading Markets & Consumers
- The top consumer markets were Iraq (USD 1.7B), Saudi Arabia (USD 1.4B), and Yemen (USD 1.0B), collectively accounting for 47% of total consumption.
- Israel, Libya, and Lebanon ranked highest in per capita machinery usage.
Strategic Implications
The report underscores a cautious investment climate in the textile machinery segment due to macroeconomic pressures, but also points to opportunities in export-led growth and domestic industrial resilience. With rising demand for advanced textile production technologies, regional players are urged to innovate, expand value-added manufacturing, and strengthen intra-regional trade.
