Dominican Republic: Soap Market 2024

Soap Market Size in the Dominican Republic

In 2021, the Dominican soap market increased by 1.9% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +50.7% against 2018 indices. Soap consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Soap Production in the Dominican Republic

In value terms, soap production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +65.1% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. Soap production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Soap Exports

Exports from the Dominican Republic

Soap exports from the Dominican Republic shrank to X tons in 2021, waning by -6.6% on the year before. In general, exports showed a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 224% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, soap exports dropped sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a pronounced descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 164%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Haiti (X tons) was the main destination for soap exports from the Dominican Republic, with a 62% share of total exports. Moreover, soap exports to Haiti exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United States (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Canada (X tons), with a 3.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Haiti totaled +20.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-6.8% per year) and Canada (+67.4% per year).

In value terms, Haiti ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for soap exports from the Dominican Republic, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 27% share of total exports. It was followed by Canada, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Haiti stood at +19.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-8.6% per year) and Canada (+53.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average soap export price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -10.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a mild slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average export price increased by 8.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Guyana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United States ($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 Guyana (+25.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Soap Imports

Imports into the Dominican Republic

In 2021, purchases abroad of soap was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, imports enjoyed a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 40%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, soap imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Guatemala (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of soap to the Dominican Republic, with a 36% share of total imports. Moreover, soap imports from Guatemala exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Guatemala stood at +6.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+29.2% per year) and the United States (+0.9% per year).

In value terms, Guatemala ($X), the United States ($X) and Mexico ($X) were the largest soap suppliers to the Dominican Republic, with a combined 62% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Turkey, China, Colombia, Spain, Malaysia, Costa Rica and Honduras, which together accounted for a further 24%.

Among the main suppliers, Turkey, with a CAGR of +102.6%, 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

In 2021, the average soap import price amounted to $X per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 9.8%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+0.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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