South Africa: Soap Market 2024

Soap Market Size in South Africa

The South African soap market rose markedly to $X in 2021, increasing by 13% against the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +64.8% against 2017 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Soap Production in South Africa

In value terms, soap production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production faced a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Soap production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Soap Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of soap decreased by -33.9% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports saw a significant curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 17%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, soap exports declined to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 7.2% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) were the main destinations of soap exports from South Africa, with a combined 52% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +42.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Botswana ($X), Namibia ($X) and Zambia ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for soap exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 47% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi and Angola, which together accounted for a further 47%.

Among the main countries of destination, Swaziland, with a CAGR of +20.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 average soap export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 384%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Democratic Republic of the Congo ($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 Angola (+8.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soap Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of soap, when their volume decreased by -8.9% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 26%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, soap imports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% 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 +46.9% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), China (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main suppliers of soap imports to South Africa, with a combined 58% share of total imports. Malaysia, the UK, Egypt, Italy, Turkey, Poland, India and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Egypt (with a CAGR of +84.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest soap suppliers to South Africa were Germany ($X), China ($X) and Spain ($X), together accounting for 53% of total imports. These countries were followed by the UK, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Egypt, India, Turkey and Indonesia, which together accounted for a further 31%.

Egypt, with a CAGR of +77.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average soap import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 20% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+11.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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