Belgium: Market for Caustic Soda in the Solid Form 2024

Market Size for Caustic Soda in the Solid Form in Belgium

For the third consecutive year, the Belgian market for caustic soda in the solid form recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -7% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption showed a deep contraction. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Caustic Soda in the Solid Form in Belgium

In value terms, production of caustic soda in the solid form stood at less than $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern.

Exports of Caustic Soda in the Solid Form

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of caustic soda in the solid form, when their volume decreased by -15.4% to X tons. Overall, total exports indicated a strong increase from 2013 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last eight years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 57%. Over the period under review, the exports of caustic soda in solid form reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, exports of caustic soda in the solid form declined slightly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2013 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last eight years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -17.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of caustic soda in solid form hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Nigeria (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) were the main destinations of exports of caustic soda in the solid form from Belgium, together accounting for 31% of total exports. Turkey, Mali, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burkina Faso, the United States, Iceland, France, Chile, Senegal and Faroe Islands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

From 2013 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +67.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X) constituted the largest markets for caustic soda in the solid form exported from Belgium worldwide, together accounting for 29% of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +63.1%, recorded 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

In 2021, the average export price for caustic soda in the solid form amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 37%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Iceland (+4.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Caustic Soda in the Solid Form

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, the amount of caustic soda in the solid form imported into Belgium contracted to X tons, declining by -11.4% on 2020. Overall, imports showed a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 53%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports of remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of caustic soda in the solid form shrank to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 41%. Over the period under review, imports of caustic soda in solid form attained the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main suppliers of imports of caustic soda in the solid form to Belgium, with a combined 66% share of total imports. Taiwan (Chinese), Qatar, Spain, China and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Qatar (with a CAGR of +233.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest caustic soda in the solid form suppliers to Belgium were Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Poland ($X), together accounting for 63% of total imports. These countries were followed by Taiwan (Chinese), Qatar, Spain, France and China, which together accounted for a further 30%.

Among the main suppliers, Qatar, with a CAGR of +232.2%, saw the highest growth rate of 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

The average import price for caustic soda in the solid form stood at $X per ton in 2021, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, import price for caustic soda in the solid form decreased by -17.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 71%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+5.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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