Ireland: Soap Market 2024

Soap Market Size in Ireland

The Irish soap market contracted modestly to $X in 2021, falling by -3.3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Soap Production in Ireland

In value terms, soap production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -14.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 28% against the previous year. Soap production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Soap Exports

Exports from Ireland

In 2021, exports of soap from Ireland declined to X tons, which is down by -10.1% against 2020. In general, total exports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -43.1% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 36%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, soap exports reduced to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for soap exports from Ireland, with a 66% share of total exports. Moreover, soap exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Hong Kong SAR (X tons), fivefold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the UK totaled -1.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (+194.4% per year) and the Netherlands (+50.5% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for soap exports from Ireland, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 9.3% share of total exports. It was followed by Hong Kong SAR, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK stood at +3.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+58.7% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (+94.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average soap export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 14%. The export price 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 for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Hong Kong SAR ($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 the Netherlands (+5.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Soap Imports

Imports into Ireland

Soap imports into Ireland contracted to X tons in 2021, dropping by -10.5% on 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, soap imports stood at $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 20%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X tons) constituted the largest soap supplier to Ireland, accounting for a 68% share of total imports. Moreover, soap imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Turkey (X tons), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Germany (X tons), with a 7.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the UK stood at +2.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+85.0% per year) and Germany (-4.9% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of soap to Ireland, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 5.2% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the UK totaled +1.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-4.8% per year) and Turkey (+71.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average soap import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 17% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum 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 China ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+8.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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