Africa: Market for Soap In Different Forms 2025

Market Size for Soap In Different Forms in Africa

The African soap in different forms market rose rapidly to $X in 2021, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a mild contraction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Soap In Different Forms in Africa

In value terms, soap in different forms production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 20%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Soap In Different Forms

Exports in Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of soap in different forms decreased by -30.5% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after four years of growth. In general, exports saw a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 25% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, soap in different forms exports totaled $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons) represented the key exporter of soap in different forms, making up 35% of total exports. Kenya (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Morocco (X tons), Uganda (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Egypt (X tons). All these countries together took near 51% share of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -7.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Morocco (+27.1%), Tanzania (+12.9%), Egypt (+11.1%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +27.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Kenya (-1.7%) and Uganda (-7.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Morocco, Egypt, Cote d'Ivoire, Tanzania and Kenya increased by +11, +5.6, +3.7, +3.3 and +2.5 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest soap in different forms supplier in Africa, comprising 39% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Morocco, with a 13% share.

In South Africa, soap in different forms exports declined by an average annual rate of -4.4% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Egypt (+11.4% per year) and Morocco (+25.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 52% against the previous year. Export price indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Soap In Different Forms

Imports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of soap in different forms were imported in Africa; surging by 7.9% on the previous year's figure. In general, imports saw a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 31%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, soap in different forms imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +122.8% against 2016 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Djibouti (X tons), distantly followed by Angola (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Ghana (X tons), Madagascar (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) were the main importers of soap in different forms, together comprising 63% of total imports. Botswana (X tons), Algeria (X tons), Libya (X tons), Mauritania (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Mali (X tons) and Burkina Faso (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Mali (with a CAGR of +57.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Djibouti ($X), Egypt ($X) and Ghana ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 39% of total imports. These countries were followed by Malawi, Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, Mauritania, Mali and Burkina Faso, which together accounted for a further 37%.

Among the main importing countries, Mali, with a CAGR of +37.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible downturn. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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