Egypt: Market for Organic Surface Active Agents 2025

Market Size for Organic Surface Active Agents in Egypt

The Egyptian organic surface active agent market reduced to $X in 2021, declining by -6.5% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a pronounced decline. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Organic Surface Active Agents in Egypt

In value terms, organic surface active agent production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 32%. Organic surface active agent production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Organic Surface Active Agents

Exports from Egypt

In 2021, overseas shipments of organic surface active agents decreased by -6.9% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after eight years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 41%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, organic surface active agent exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 31%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Libya (X tons) were the main destinations of organic surface active agent exports from Egypt, with a combined 37% share of total exports. The United States, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Senegal, Israel, Morocco, Lebanon, Angola, Sudan and Jordan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Israel (with a CAGR of +61.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for organic surface active agent exported from Egypt were Turkey ($X), Tunisia ($X) and Libya ($X), together comprising 38% of total exports. These countries were followed by the United States, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Senegal, Israel, Morocco, Lebanon, Angola, Sudan and Jordan, which together accounted for a further 38%.

Israel, with a CAGR of +74.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among 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 organic surface active agent export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, organic surface active agent export price increased by +73.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Tunisia ($X per ton) and Jordan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lebanon ($X per ton) and Kenya ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Senegal (+14.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Organic Surface Active Agents

Imports into Egypt

After two years of decline, purchases abroad of organic surface active agents increased by 8.1% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports saw mild growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 67% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, organic surface active agent imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 35%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons), China (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main suppliers of organic surface active agent imports to Egypt, with a combined 41% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +28.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest organic surface active agent suppliers to Egypt were China ($X), Turkey ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a combined 36% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Italy, Germany, India, Belgium, Russia, the United States, the UK, South Korea, Spain and France, which together accounted for a further 46%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Russia, with a CAGR of +24.3%, saw 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

In 2021, the average organic surface active agent import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 10% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a slight reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while the price for the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+3.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform