Germany: Soap Market 2024

Soap Market Size in Germany

After three years of decline, the German soap market increased by 1,112% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption saw a prominent increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Soap Production in Germany

In value terms, soap production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.4% against the previous year. Soap production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Soap Exports

Exports from Germany

After nine years of growth, overseas shipments of soap decreased by -2.4% to X tons in 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 9.4% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell slightly in the following year.

In value terms, soap exports expanded modestly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 14%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons), France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of soap exports from Germany, together accounting for 30% of total exports. These countries were followed by Poland, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, the United Arab Emirates and Sweden, which together accounted for a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Slovakia (with a CAGR of +24.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the UK ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X) were the largest markets for soap exported from Germany worldwide, with a combined 27% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, Romania and Sweden, which together accounted for a further 43%.

Slovakia, with a CAGR of +23.6%, saw the highest growth rate of 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

In 2021, the average soap export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 6.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by 7.3% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Slovakia ($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 Switzerland (+1.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soap Imports

Imports into Germany

For the eighth consecutive year, Germany recorded growth in purchases abroad of soap, which increased by 1.5% to X tons in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% 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 +63.4% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, soap imports expanded notably to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% 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 +52.6% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Poland (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of soap to Germany, with a 36% share of total imports. Moreover, soap imports from Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (X tons), twofold. Spain (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Poland stood at +18.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+13.7% per year) and Spain (+6.7% per year).

In value terms, the largest soap suppliers to Germany were Poland ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 52% share of total imports. The UK, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Austria, Turkey, Belgium, Indonesia, Sweden and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +45.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among 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, rising by 4.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 6.5% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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