Belgium: Caustic Soda Market 2025

Caustic Soda Market Size in Belgium

In 2021, the Belgian caustic soda market decreased by -17.9% to $X for the first time since 2015, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Overall, consumption, however, enjoyed temperate growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then declined sharply in the following year.

Caustic Soda Production in Belgium

In value terms, caustic soda production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, posted a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 39%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports from Belgium

Caustic soda exports from Belgium was estimated at X tons in 2021, stabilizing at the year before. Overall, exports showed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 70%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, caustic soda exports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -31.2% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 47% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main destinations of caustic soda exports from Belgium, together accounting for 61% of total exports. These countries were followed by Spain, the United States, Italy, Finland, the UK, Sweden, Turkey and Uruguay, which together accounted for a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Italy (with a CAGR of +57.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for caustic soda exported from Belgium worldwide, together accounting for 58% of total exports. These countries were followed by Spain, the United States, Italy, Finland, the UK, Sweden, Turkey and Uruguay, which together accounted for a further 28%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +34.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average caustic soda export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 9.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 42%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Turkey (+5.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, approx. X tons of caustic soda were imported into Belgium; with a decrease of -6.2% compared with the previous year. In general, imports, however, posted a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, caustic soda imports fell remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest caustic soda supplier to Belgium, accounting for a 65% share of total imports. Moreover, caustic soda imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (X tons), twofold. France (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Germany stood at +9.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+4.7% per year) and France (-0.8% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of caustic soda to Belgium, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 25% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Germany was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+1.8% per year) and France (-11.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average caustic soda import price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -25.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 22% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were the UK ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (-2.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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