United Arab Emirates: Soap Market 2025

Soap Market Size in the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, the soap market in the United Arab Emirates increased by 162% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption recorded a resilient increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Soap Exports

Exports from the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, overseas shipments of soap decreased by -3.7% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. In general, exports showed a perceptible decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 19% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, soap exports fell sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -19.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) were the main destinations of soap exports from the United Arab Emirates, with a combined 55% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Kuwait, the United States, Bahrain, Iraq, Pakistan, Jordan, Tanzania, Libya, Russia and Angola, which together accounted for a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +74.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for soap exported from the United Arab Emirates were Saudi Arabia ($X), Oman ($X) and Kuwait ($X), with a combined 81% share of total exports. Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, the United States, Pakistan, Jordan, Libya, Russia, Angola and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Russia, with a CAGR of +70.1%, 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, declining by -16.5% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +8.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, soap export price increased by +11.6% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 93% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then contracted notably in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Kuwait ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Tanzania ($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 Iraq (+18.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Soap Imports

Imports into the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, purchases abroad of soap was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Overall, total imports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, 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.

In value terms, soap imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Malaysia (X tons), Indonesia (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) were the main suppliers of soap imports to the United Arab Emirates, with a combined 33% share of total imports. India, Germany, the United States, Turkey, Italy, Singapore, China and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 17%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +21.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Malaysia ($X), Indonesia ($X) and the United States ($X) appeared to be the largest soap suppliers to the United Arab Emirates, with a combined 27% share of total imports. Germany, India, Saudi Arabia, Italy, the UK, Singapore, China and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

Among the main suppliers, Italy, with a CAGR of +22.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 14%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the price for Malaysia ($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 UK (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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