France: Soap Market 2025

Soap Market Size in France

The French soap market dropped significantly to $X in 2021, which is down by -46.8% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a perceptible decrease. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

Soap Production in France

In value terms, soap production reduced remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 15% against the previous year. Soap production peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Soap Exports

Exports from France

In 2021, overseas shipments of soap increased by 0.9% to X tons, rising for the seventh year in a row after two years of decline. In general, total exports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% 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 +81.7% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 27%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, soap exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a buoyant increase 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, exports increased by +88.1% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main destinations of soap exports from France, together accounting for 27% of total exports. These countries were followed by Germany, the Netherlands, China, Poland, Spain, Denmark, the Czech Republic, the United States, Romania and Russia, which together accounted for a further 47%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +32.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), the UK ($X) and Germany ($X) were the largest markets for soap exported from France worldwide, with a combined 26% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, China, with a CAGR of +34.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average soap export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average export price increased by 13%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Denmark ($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 Belgium (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soap Imports

Imports into France

In 2021, overseas purchases of soap decreased by -5% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 19%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

In value terms, soap imports fell slightly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% 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 +47.6% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 22%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main suppliers of soap imports to France, together accounting for 57% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +38.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Italy ($X) and Poland ($X) were the largest soap suppliers to France, with a combined 53% share of total imports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +31.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average soap import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 3.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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