Eastern Europe: Soap Market 2025

Soap Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European soap market reduced slightly to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -4.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Soap Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, soap production fell notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a mild descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 21%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

Soap Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, after nine years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of soap, when their volume decreased by -6.9% to X tons. In general, exports, however, recorded prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, soap exports reduced modestly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 30% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Poland (X tons) represented the main exporter of soap, making up 59% of total exports. Russia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 16% share, followed by the Czech Republic (10%). Slovakia (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Ukraine (X tons) and Romania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to soap exports from Poland stood at +12.6%. At the same time, Slovakia (+29.5%), Romania (+9.3%), the Czech Republic (+7.4%), Russia (+4.9%) and Hungary (+4.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovakia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +29.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Ukraine (-6.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Poland (+17 p.p.) and Slovakia (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Russia and Ukraine saw its share reduced by -5.8% and -7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) remains the largest soap supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Czech Republic ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Russia, with an 11% share.

In Poland, soap exports expanded at an average annual rate of +11.3% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Czech Republic (+12.0% per year) and Russia (+5.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the export price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soap Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was decline in purchases abroad of soap, when their volume decreased by -3.3% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 14%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

In value terms, soap imports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +68.4% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the five major importers of soap, namely Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Slovakia (X tons) took a 6.5% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Ukraine (6%). Belarus (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Belarus (with a CAGR of +11.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest soap importing markets in Eastern Europe were Poland ($X), Russia ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X), with a combined 58% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Belarus, which together accounted for a further 34%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Slovakia, with a CAGR of +12.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 9.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovakia (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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