Pakistan: Caustic Soda Market 2024

Caustic Soda Market Size in Pakistan

The Pakistani caustic soda market reduced to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -7.3% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw a slight contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 9.4%. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Caustic Soda Production in Pakistan

In value terms, caustic soda production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 15%. Caustic soda production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports from Pakistan

In 2021, overseas shipments of caustic soda were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports enjoyed modest growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 132%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, caustic soda exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a moderate expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 135%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

India (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Thailand (X tons) were the main destinations of caustic soda exports from Pakistan, with a combined 68% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Thailand (with a CAGR of +261.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($X) remains the key foreign market for caustic soda exports from Pakistan, comprising 31% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to India totaled -2.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Africa (+104.8% per year) and Thailand (+202.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average caustic soda export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -11% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ethiopia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to South Africa ($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 South Africa (+19.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports into Pakistan

In 2021, supplies from abroad of caustic soda decreased by -68% to X tons, falling for the sixth consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports faced a dramatic slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 236%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, caustic soda imports plummeted to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 128% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Kuwait (X tons) constituted the largest caustic soda supplier to Pakistan, with a 49% share of total imports. Moreover, caustic soda imports from Kuwait exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), sevenfold. The United States (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Kuwait totaled +4.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-16.8% per year) and the United States (+18.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest caustic soda suppliers to Pakistan were Kuwait ($X), Oman ($X) and Germany ($X), together accounting for 41% of total imports. Singapore, Japan, Qatar, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Iran and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Among the main suppliers, the United States, with a CAGR of +4.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average caustic soda import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, caustic soda import price increased by +85.7% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 24%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Oman ($X per ton), while the price for Kuwait ($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 (+26.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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