Benelux: Caustic Soda Market 2024

Caustic Soda Market Size in Benelux

In 2021, the Benelux caustic soda market decreased by -20% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

Caustic Soda Production in Benelux

In value terms, caustic soda production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports in Benelux

For the tenth year in a row, Benelux recorded growth in shipments abroad of caustic soda, which increased by 2.3% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, caustic soda exports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% 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 -24.0% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 42%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands was the main exporting country with an export of about X tons, which finished at 63% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), achieving a 37% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +11.3%).

In value terms, the largest caustic soda supplying countries in Benelux were the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X).

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +6.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Benelux amounted to $X per ton, surging by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 33% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the Netherlands stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (-2.0%).

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports in Benelux

After seven years of growth, purchases abroad of caustic soda decreased by -0.2% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +69.6% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, caustic soda imports declined to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 21%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands represented the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 75% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), mixing up a 25% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to caustic soda imports into the Netherlands stood at +5.1%. At the same time, Belgium (+6.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belgium emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Benelux, with a CAGR of +6.5% from 2012-2021. While the share of Belgium (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of the Netherlands (-1.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest caustic soda importing markets in Benelux were the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X).

In terms of the main importing countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +1.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Benelux stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -7.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 8.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the Netherlands totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (-3.7%).

Source: IndexBox Platform