Middle East: Soap Market 2025

Soap Market Size in the Middle East

For the third consecutive year, the Middle Eastern soap market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 1.2% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Soap Production in the Middle East

In value terms, soap production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Soap Exports

Exports in the Middle East

For the third consecutive year, the Middle East recorded growth in shipments abroad of soap, which increased by 13% to X tons in 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 16% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, soap exports stood at $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a slight increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Turkey dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 72% of total exports in 2021. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Israel (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 23% share of total exports.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the soap exports, with a CAGR of +7.8% from 2012 to 2021. The United Arab Emirates (-3.0%), Israel (-3.6%) and Saudi Arabia (-14.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Turkey increased by +30 percentage points.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest soap supplier in the Middle East, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Israel, with a 12% share.

In Turkey, soap exports increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+4.9% per year) and Israel (-2.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -10.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 7.8%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then contracted in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+8.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Soap Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, overseas purchases of soap increased by 23% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, soap imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the main importer of soap, creating 41% of total imports. Turkey (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Iraq (12%) and Saudi Arabia (11%). Oman (X tons), Jordan (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Yemen (X tons), Iran (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), Israel (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Turkey (+9.2%), Jordan (+6.7%), Syrian Arab Republic (+6.5%), Saudi Arabia (+5.8%), Israel (+5.5%) and Iraq (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +9.2% from 2012-2021. Oman and Kuwait experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Yemen (-1.2%), Iran (-3.4%) and Qatar (-4.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Turkey (+5.2 p.p.) and Saudi Arabia (+2.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Qatar (-1.7 p.p.) and Iran (-1.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported soap in the Middle East, comprising 32% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 14% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, soap imports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (+4.4% per year) and Oman (+13.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, surging by 2.7% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 8.1% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+12.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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