Portugal: Market for Caustic Soda in the Solid Form 2024

Market Size for Caustic Soda in the Solid Form in Portugal

In 2021, the Portuguese market for caustic soda in the solid form was finally on the rise to reach $X after three years of decline. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a deep slump. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Caustic Soda in the Solid Form

Exports from Portugal

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of caustic soda in the solid form increased by 125% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep reduction. Over the period under review, the exports of caustic soda in solid form attained the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of caustic soda in the solid form surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 109% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Angola (X tons) was the main destination for exports of caustic soda in the solid form from Portugal, accounting for a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, exports of caustic soda in the solid form to Angola exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Cabo Verde (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Sao Tome and Principe (X tons), with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Angola was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Cabo Verde (+2.0% per year) and Sao Tome and Principe (+18.5% per year).

In value terms, Angola ($X) remains the key foreign market for caustic soda in the solid form exports from Portugal, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Cabo Verde ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Sao Tome and Principe, with a 9.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Angola was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Cabo Verde (-0.0% per year) and Sao Tome and Principe (+14.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average export price for caustic soda in the solid form amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -26.6% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 83% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Sao Tome and Principe ($X per ton) and Angola ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Cabo Verde ($X per ton) and Spain ($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 Spain (+13.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Caustic Soda in the Solid Form

Imports into Portugal

In 2021, overseas purchases of caustic soda in the solid form were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, showed a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 58%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports of remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of caustic soda in the solid form skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a drastic downturn. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest caustic soda in the solid form supplier to Portugal, accounting for a 53% share of total imports. Moreover, imports of caustic soda in the solid form from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Poland (X tons), fourfold. Russia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Spain stood at -13.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (-6.9% per year) and Russia (+0.9% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of caustic soda in the solid form to Portugal, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Russia, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Spain totaled -6.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (-7.0% per year) and Russia (-0.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average import price for caustic soda in the solid form amounted to $X per ton, growing by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a temperate increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 57%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Kuwait ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+35.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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