Report Overview

Saudi Arabia hand sanitizer market is expected to continue growing on account of rising awareness about personal hygiene and increasing health concerns due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic...

Saudi Arabia Hand Sanitizer Market- Industry Trends & Forecast Report 2028

Saudi Arabia hand sanitizer market is expected to grow at a lucrative CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period 2022-2028. The rising awareness of the significance of cleanliness and personal hygiene and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic are boosting the hand sanitizer market in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, due to the virus's rapid spread, demand for hand hygiene products has outpaced supply in both online and offline sales channels. As a response, demand for hand sanitizer gels and other disinfectant products is expected to increase in Saudi Arabia, providing high growth and investment opportunities for manufacturers over the forecast period. In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak has increased consumer awareness of the significance of regular hand sanitizing and cleaning practices, which is one of the key factors driving the market.

Hand Sanitizers: A Brief Overview

A hand sanitizer is an antiseptic disinfectant available in the form of liquid, gel, and foam. When applied to the palms, it instantly kills germs and viruses. Hand sanitizers are used to prevent transmission of viruses and germs. These are commonly used in places where water and soap are unavailable or hand washing irritates the skin. Hand sanitizers are 70% ethanol or rubbing alcohol, and the rest is water blended with various types of essence.

Saudi Arabia Hand Sanitizer Market Trends

Growth Drivers

A growing number of COVID-19 cases has led to a stronger focus on hand hygiene

The coronavirus outbreak, which was declared a pandemic in March 2020 due to its rapid spread, has impacted consumer behavior and encouraged individuals to practice better personal hygiene, particularly hand hygiene. According to the WHO, there were 666,259 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia from 3 January 2020 to 27 January 2022, with 8,927 deaths reported to the World Health Organization. A total of 56,139,837 vaccination doses has been delivered as of January 25, 2022. As a result, the high number of deaths caused by the virus prompted an alarming response from consumers, who began to pay more attention to hand hygiene to keep the infection at bay. The factors mentioned above are expected to propel Saudi Arabia hand sanitizer market forward during the forecast period.

Restraint

Increasing Penetration of Counterfeit and Fake Products

Fake and counterfeit products are emerging as a major restraint in the Saudi Arabia hand sanitizer market, owing to the rising demand. As counterfeit hand sanitizers are not subject to regulatory quality checks, they are not effective against COVID-19 and other viruses. Despite this, their market share is constantly increasing due to their low pricing compared to branded products, particularly among the middle and lower-income categories. As a result, legitimate manufacturers are struggling expand their markets, which has a negative impact on their revenue. For instance, in May 2020, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) issued a public warning against using a hand sanitizer gel marketed as "Nex", manufactured by Sarin Detergents Factory. The sanitizing agent used in the product does not contain the required amount of two alcohols, which is why it performs poorly in sanitizing hands.

Impact of COVID-19 on Saudi Arabia Hand Sanitizer Market

In Saudi Arabia, the COVID-19 outbreak has heightened public awareness and compelled people to use hand sanitizers daily, resulting in a boom in demand and price increases for hand sanitizers. Public hand sanitizers were distributed during the Coronavirus outbreak in Saudi Arabia to ensure public safety. The Saudi Arabian hand sanitizer market is expected to increase significantly with the current chronic conditions. To avoid the transmission of coronavirus, many healthcare professionals across the region are now advising people to wash their hands with soap and water on a regular basis. Hand sanitizer gel is an excellent alternative to soap and water if there is no access to either. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak and an increased awareness of hand hygiene in the kingdom, hand sanitizers are is in high demand, which drives its market growth.

Saudi Arabia Hand Sanitizer Market- By Type

Based on types, the Saudi Arabia hand sanitizer market is grouped into alcohol-based and alcohol-free hand segments. The alcohol-based type dominated the market in 2021 as it effectively protects against germs. Additionally, as alcohol-based sanitizers are more effective than skin-washing products like soaps and oils, they are commonly used in hospitals to keep individuals and the hospital ambiance infection-free. However, as consumers are more interested in organic personal hygiene products, demand for alcohol-free sanitizers is booming in Saudi Arabia. Due to the sheer higher concentration of alcohol in these types, they are considered a more natural sanitizer that prevents skin irritation and itching problems common to alcohol-based types.

Saudi Arabia Hand Sanitizer Market- By Distribution Channel

Based on distribution channels, the market is grouped into hypermarkets & supermarkets, drug store, specialty store, and online segments. Among these, the hypermarket and supermarket channels accounted for the largest share in 2021. The availability of hand sanitizers has increased in a growing number of hypermarkets and supermarkets across Saudi Arabia. In addition, this channel allows consumers to view different types of hand sanitizers products before purchasing them, which helps them identify the one that is most suitable for them. Furthermore, hypermarkets and supermarkets provide quick access to products, as opposed to online channels, where customers must wait for delivery. Moreover, compared to other forms of sale channels, these stores offer products at a lesser price, which attracts shoppers to buy from them. However, during the forecast period, the online sales segment is expected to grow significantly due to the growing popularity of online shopping.

Competitive Landscape

Due to the presence of several industry competitors, the Saudi Arabia hand sanitizer market is extremely competitive and fragmented. Companies are launching new and diverse variety of hand sanitizers with varying levels of alcohol and fragrances to suit various skin types. Additionally, they are investing heavily in growing their production capacity and strengthening their distribution system and product accessibility to boost sales. The key player in the Saudi Arabia hand sanitizer market industry are the Saudi Pharmaceutical Industry, Dr. Disinfectant, 3M Company, Avalon Pharma, Reza Hygiene, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc., GOJO Industries. Inc, Clorox, Procter Gamble Co, Kimberly- Clark Corporation, Unilever, and Other Prominent Players.

Recent Developments

• In May 2020, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) instructed the public not to use a hand sanitizer gel sold under the brand name "Nex" manufactured by Sarin Detergents Factory as it contains less than the required amount of two alcohols, which are the sterilizing agents. Since the product "Nex" had a lower concentration of two sterilizing alcohols — ethanol and isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) — it performed poorly in hand sanitization. Consumers were advised not to use the product and to return it to the store or pharmacy where they purchased it for a refund, according to the SFDA.

Scope of the Report:

By Type

• Alcohol-Based
• Alcohol-Free

By Form

• Gel
• Foam
• Liquid

By Distribution Channel

• Hypermarket & Supermarket
• Drug Store
• Specialty Store
• Online

By End-User

• School
• Hotels & Restaurants
• Hospitals
• Others