GCC: Soap Market 2025

Soap Market Size in GCC

The GCC soap market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, increasing by 38% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +98.1% against 2015 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Soap Production in GCC

In value terms, soap production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Soap Exports

Exports in GCC

Soap exports reached X tons in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, soap exports contracted significantly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the major exporter of soap in GCC, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was near 53% of total exports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 34% share, followed by Bahrain (5.6%) and Oman (4.7%). Kuwait (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Bahrain (with a CAGR of +33.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest soap supplier in GCC, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 20% share of total exports. It was followed by Bahrain, with a 12% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, soap exports increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saudi Arabia (-16.1% per year) and Bahrain (+46.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -21.5% against the previous year. Export price indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, soap export price increased by +55.5% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 30%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Bahrain ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+10.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soap Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of soap, when their volume increased by 39% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, soap imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern 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

The United Arab Emirates was the largest importer of soap in GCC, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 67% of total imports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 18% share, followed by Oman (7.3%). Kuwait (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to soap imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +3.6%. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+5.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +5.8% from 2012-2021. Oman and Kuwait experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Qatar (-4.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Saudi Arabia (+3.7 p.p.) and the United Arab Emirates (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Oman, Kuwait and Qatar saw its share reduced by -1.6%, -1.7% and -2.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported soap in GCC, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 20% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United Arab Emirates totaled +4.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (+4.4% per year) and Oman (+13.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -7.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 12%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+12.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform