Middle East: Market for Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye) 2025

Exports of Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye)

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, overseas shipments of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) increased by 18% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, exports, however, showed a mild decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 41%. Over the period under review, the exports of attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, exports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 38%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) prevails in lye) structure, together making up 90% of total exports. The following exporters - Turkey (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Iran (X tons) - together made up 8.1% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +34.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X), Qatar ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 93% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +30.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 3.4%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, 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 Turkey (-2.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye)

Imports in the Middle East

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) decreased by -12.4% to X tons in 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% 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 2019 when imports increased by 53% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, imports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) dropped modestly to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 44%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports of failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Turkey represented the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which resulted at 77% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Israel (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons), together comprising a 17% share of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) imports into Turkey stood at +1.9%. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+100.3%) and Israel (+7.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +100.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-13.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Saudi Arabia (+5.5 p.p.), Israel (+4.8 p.p.) and Turkey (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -8.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) in the Middle East, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Israel ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey totaled -3.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Israel (+8.1% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+35.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 41%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($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 (+0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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