Italy: Caustic Soda Market 2024

Caustic Soda Market Size in Italy

The Italian caustic soda market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after three years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a mild curtailment. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Caustic Soda Production in Italy

In value terms, caustic soda production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports from Italy

In 2021, overseas shipments of caustic soda decreased by -42.6% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 289%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, caustic soda exports dropped notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 225%. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Austria (X tons) was the main destination for caustic soda exports from Italy, with a 61% share of total exports. Moreover, caustic soda exports to Austria exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Spain (X tons), fivefold. Switzerland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Austria amounted to +57.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+84.2% per year) and Switzerland (-1.3% per year).

In value terms, Austria ($X) remains the key foreign market for caustic soda exports from Italy, comprising 48% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Switzerland, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Austria totaled +58.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+64.2% per year) and Switzerland (+4.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average caustic soda export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 54% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Spain ($X per ton) and Slovenia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($X per ton) and Austria ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Switzerland (+5.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports into Italy

In 2021, supplies from abroad of caustic soda decreased by -6.5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, caustic soda imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 36%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons) were the main suppliers of caustic soda imports to Italy, together comprising 55% of total imports. The Netherlands, Qatar, India, Austria, the UK, Belgium, Spain and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +1,109.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), Ukraine ($X) and Egypt ($X) constituted the largest caustic soda suppliers to Italy, with a combined 54% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Austria, the Netherlands, India, Belgium, Qatar, the UK, Spain and Iran, which together accounted for a further 32%.

Among the main suppliers, India, with a CAGR of +756.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average caustic soda import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 39% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a perceptible setback. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Qatar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+13.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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