MENA: Caustic Soda Market 2024

Caustic Soda Market Size in MENA

After three years of decline, the MENA's caustic soda market increased by 5.2% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a slight reduction. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Caustic Soda Production in MENA

In value terms, caustic soda production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports in MENA

After four years of decline, shipments abroad of caustic soda increased by 9.7% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 30% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, caustic soda exports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) represented the major exporters of caustic soda in MENA, together achieving 70% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons) and Iran (X tons), together making up a 20% share of total exports. The following exporters - the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) - together made up 8.8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +24.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest caustic soda supplying countries in MENA were Saudi Arabia ($X), Qatar ($X) and Egypt ($X), with a combined 77% share of total exports. The United Arab Emirates, Iran, Kuwait and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +22.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs 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 Kuwait (+0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports in MENA

For the third consecutive year, MENA recorded growth in purchases abroad of caustic soda, which increased by 40% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% 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 +93.2% against 2018 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, caustic soda imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of import peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Turkey (X tons) was the main importer of caustic soda, constituting 47% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Israel (X tons), together comprising a 37% share of total imports. The following importers - Morocco (X tons), Algeria (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Djibouti (X tons) - each accounted for an 8.3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +51.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and Israel ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 74% share of total imports.

Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +34.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs 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 Algeria ($X per ton), while Morocco ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (-0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform