EU: Soap Market 2025

Soap Market Size in the EU

The EU soap market declined to $X in 2021, which is down by -8.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Soap Production in the EU

In value terms, soap production dropped significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 27%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then declined notably in the following year.

Soap Exports

Exports in the EU

After nine years of growth, shipments abroad of soap decreased by -1.6% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +73.6% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

In value terms, soap exports rose to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +77.5% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 25%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by Poland (X tons), Italy (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the key exporters of soap, together constituting 86% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +12.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Poland ($X) and France ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 52% of total exports. These countries were followed by Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium, which together accounted for a further 32%.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +11.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 5.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 6.3%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Spain ($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 Netherlands (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soap Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, purchases abroad of soap decreased by -2.5% to X tons for the first time since 2011, thus ending a nine-year rising trend. Total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% 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 +57.2% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, soap imports amounted to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% 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 +63.7% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 26%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of soap, namely Germany, France and the Netherlands, represented more than third of total import. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Belgium (X tons), together mixing up an 18% share of total imports. The Czech Republic (X tons), Spain (X tons), Romania (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Austria (X tons), Portugal (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Romania (with a CAGR of +10.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest soap importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), with a combined 41% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Poland, Italy, Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic, Austria, Romania, Hungary, Sweden and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 45%.

Among the main importing countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +10.2%, 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

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, rising by 5.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 6.4%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while Portugal ($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 (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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