GCC: Market for Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye) 2025

Exports of Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye)

Exports in GCC

In 2021, overseas shipments of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) increased by 18% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, exports, however, recorded a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 42%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, exports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 40%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) dominates lye) structure, together committing 97% of total exports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +34.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) supplying countries in GCC were Saudi Arabia ($X), Qatar ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), together comprising 100% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +30.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, flattening at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 3% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Qatar ($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 United Arab Emirates (-2.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye)

Imports in GCC

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) decreased by -11% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports showed a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 205%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports of remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) fell to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 320% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Saudi Arabia (X tons) represented the main importer of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye), comprising 55% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Bahrain (X tons). All these countries together took near 40% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Saudi Arabia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) imports, with a CAGR of +100.3% from 2012 to 2021. Qatar experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Bahrain (-8.7%) and the United Arab Emirates (-13.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Saudi Arabia increased by +55 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) in GCC, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Bahrain ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 9.8% share.

In Saudi Arabia, imports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) expanded at an average annual rate of +35.1% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bahrain (-6.3% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-23.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 8.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 38% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform