GCC's Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market: Expected to Reach 32M Tons and $17.2B by 2035
Aug 28, 2025
GCC’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market: Expected to Reach 32M Tons and $17.2B by 2035
IndexBox has just published a new report: GCC — Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) — Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
Driven by increasing demand, the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market in the GCC region is forecasted to experience a gradual growth in both volume and value over the period from 2024 to 2035. The market is expected to expand with a +0.5% CAGR in volume reaching 32M tons by 2035, while the market value is projected to increase with a +0.8% CAGR to $17.2B by the same year.
Market Forecast
Driven by rising demand for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in GCC, 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 +0.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 32M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $17.2B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
GCC’s Consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
In 2024, consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) increased by 7% to 30M tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, saw a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 7.5%. Over the period under review, consumption hit record highs at 40M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The value of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market in GCC expanded remarkably to $15.7B in 2024, surging by 5.9% 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). In general, consumption, however, saw a noticeable descent. The level of consumption peaked at $26.5B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
Consumption By Country
Saudi Arabia (22M tons) remains the largest liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consuming country in GCC, comprising approx. 72% of total volume. Moreover, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumption in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United Arab Emirates (7.6M tons), threefold.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Saudi Arabia was relatively modest.
In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($11.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($4B).
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value in Saudi Arabia amounted to -2.3%.
The countries with the highest levels of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) per capita consumption in 2024 were the United Arab Emirates (745 kg per person) and Saudi Arabia (593 kg per person).
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +3.0%).
Production
GCC’s Production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
In 2024, production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was finally on the rise to reach 58M tons after two years of decline. Overall, production, however, showed a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 206%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at 170M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production contracted to $40B in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 205%. The level of production peaked at $136.1B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Saudi Arabia (26M tons), the United Arab Emirates (15M tons) and Qatar (9.4M tons), together accounting for 86% of total production. Kuwait and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +13.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports
GCC’s Imports of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
For the twelfth year in a row, GCC recorded growth in purchases abroad of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which increased by 6.5% to 1.9M tons in 2024. Over the period under review, imports saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.
In value terms, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports totaled $662M in 2024. Overall, imports showed a tangible expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 82%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $1.2B. From 2017 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
Imports By Country
The United Arab Emirates dominates imports structure, finishing at 1.8M tons, which was near 94% of total imports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Oman (119K tons), making up a 6.2% share of total imports.
The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports, with a CAGR of +13.2% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Oman (+5.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2013 to 2024, the share of the United Arab Emirates increased by +5.9 percentage points.
In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($646M) constitutes the largest market for imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in GCC, comprising 98% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Oman ($12M), with a 1.8% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +4.1%.
Imports By Type
Liquefied petroleum gases other than propane, butanes, ethylene, propylene, butylene or butadiene prevails in imports structure, reaching 1.8M tons, which was near 95% of total imports in 2024. It was distantly followed by liquefied propane (98K tons), generating a 5.2% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, average annual rates of growth with regard to liquefied petroleum gases other than propane, butanes, ethylene, propylene, butylene or butadiene imports of stood at +12.3%. At the same time, liquefied propane (+22.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, liquefied propane emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +22.2% from 2013-2024. Liquefied propane (+3.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while liquefied petroleum gases other than propane, butanes, ethylene, propylene, butylene or butadiene saw its share reduced by -2.5% from 2013 to 2024, respectively.
In value terms, liquefied petroleum gases other than propane, butanes, ethylene, propylene, butylene or butadiene ($650M) constitutes the largest type of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imported in GCC, comprising 98% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by liquefied propane ($7.2M), with a 1.1% share of total imports. It was followed by liquefied butanes, with a 0.7% share.
For liquefied petroleum gases other than propane, butanes, ethylene, propylene, butylene or butadiene, imports increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2013-2024. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: liquefied propane (+1.5% per year) and liquefied butanes (-6.5% per year).
Import Prices By Type
In 2024, the import price in GCC amounted to $347 per ton, declining by -4.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the import price increased by 59%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $1,607 per ton. From 2017 to 2024, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was liquefied butanes ($881 per ton), while the price for liquefied propane ($73 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by liquefied ethylene, propylene, butylene and butadiene (-4.7%), while the other products experienced a decline in the import price figures.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the import price in GCC amounted to $347 per ton, with a decrease of -4.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the import price increased by 59%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $1,607 per ton. From 2017 to 2024, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($362 per ton), while Oman amounted to $101 per ton.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (-8.1%).
Exports
GCC’s Exports of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
In 2024, exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in GCC dropped slightly to 30M tons, remaining stable against the previous year’s figure. Overall, exports continue to indicate a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 457% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at 133M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports dropped dramatically to $20.5B in 2024. In general, exports saw a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 488% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $105.1B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
Qatar (9.1M tons) and the United Arab Emirates (8.8M tons) represented roughly 60% of total exports in 2024. Kuwait (5.3M tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Saudi Arabia (4.1M tons) and Oman (2.3M tons). All these countries together held approx. 39% 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 Oman (with a CAGR of +20.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.
In value terms, Qatar ($6.7B), the United Arab Emirates ($5.8B) and Kuwait ($3.2B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, together comprising 77% of total exports. Saudi Arabia and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.
Oman, with a CAGR of +16.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.
Exports By Type
In 2024, liquefied propane (15M tons) and liquefied butanes (14M tons) represented the major type of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in GCC, comprising 99% of total export.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exported products, was attained by liquefied ethylene, propylene, butylene and butadiene (with a CAGR of +6.8%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, liquefied propane ($10.3B), liquefied butanes ($9.9B) and liquefied petroleum gases other than propane, butanes, ethylene, propylene, butylene or butadiene ($322M) constituted the products with the highest levels of exports in 2024, with a combined 100% share of total exports.
Among the main exported products, liquefied butanes, with a CAGR of +0.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced a decline in the exports figures.
Export Prices By Type
The export price in GCC stood at $686 per ton in 2024, shrinking by -74.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 an increase of 260%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $2,713 per ton, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.
Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exported products. In 2024, major exported products recorded the following prices: in liquefied ethylene, propylene, butylene and butadiene ($834 per ton) and liquefied petroleum gases other than propane, butanes, ethylene, propylene, butylene or butadiene ($754 per ton), while the average price for exports of liquefied propane ($683 per ton) and liquefied butanes ($687 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by liquefied propane (-2.1%), while the other products experienced a decline in the export price figures.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in GCC amounted to $686 per ton, falling by -74.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a mild setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 an increase of 260% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $2,713 per ton, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Oman ($755 per ton) and Qatar ($741 per ton), while Kuwait ($602 per ton) and the United Arab Emirates ($663 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (-0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.