Africa: Soap Market 2025

Soap Market Size in Africa

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was decline in the African soap market, when its value decreased by -2.3% to $X. The total consumption indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +26.2% against 2016 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Soap Production in Africa

In value terms, soap production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +33.1% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 32% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Soap Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of soap decreased by -24.3% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports saw a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, soap exports shrank to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 4.5% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Kenya (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) represented roughly 56% of total exports in 2021. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) held an 8.2% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Egypt (5.4%) and Uganda (5%). The following exporters - Morocco (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Cameroon (X tons) and Rwanda (X tons) - together made up 19% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Rwanda (with a CAGR of +40.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest soap supplying countries in Africa were South Africa ($X), Kenya ($X) and Egypt ($X), together accounting for 72% of total exports. Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Rwanda and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Rwanda, with a CAGR of +31.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 23% against the previous year. Export price indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, soap export price increased by +24.4% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the export price increased by 118%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($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 (+22.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soap Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of soap decreased by -2.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, soap imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of soap, namely Tanzania, Djibouti, Ghana, Ethiopia, Angola, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Malawi, Somalia, Egypt and Mozambique, represented more than half of total import. Mauritania (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Tanzania (with a CAGR of +17.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest soap importing markets in Africa were South Africa ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Djibouti ($X), together comprising 22% of total imports.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +14.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a mild reduction. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Mauritania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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