Western Africa: Market for Soap In Different Forms 2025

Market Size for Soap In Different Forms in Western Africa

In 2021, the West African soap in different forms market decreased by -6.8% to $X for the first time since 2014, thus ending a six-year rising trend. In general, consumption, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Production of Soap In Different Forms in Western Africa

In value terms, soap in different forms production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +95.3% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 40% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports of Soap In Different Forms

Exports in Western Africa

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of soap in different forms decreased by -69.2% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a pronounced decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 122%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, soap in different forms exports dropped notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a mild shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 95%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

Cote d'Ivoire prevails in exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 86% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Ghana (X tons), comprising an 8.1% share of total exports. The following exporters - Togo (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) - each finished at a 3.8% share of total exports.

Exports from Cote d'Ivoire increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Togo (+42.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Togo emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +42.0% from 2012-2021. Nigeria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Ghana (-19.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Cote d'Ivoire and Togo increased by +36 and +2.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Cote d'Ivoire ($X) remains the largest soap in different forms supplier in Western Africa, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Togo ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 12% share.

In Cote d'Ivoire, soap in different forms exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Togo (+56.4% per year) and Ghana (-14.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 31% against the previous year. Export price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% 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 2014 an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Togo ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (+10.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Soap In Different Forms

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of soap in different forms, when their volume decreased by -23.6% to X tons. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 75% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then fell significantly in the following year.

In value terms, soap in different forms imports declined modestly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 52% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Ghana was the largest importer of soap in different forms in Western Africa, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was near 43% of total imports in 2021. Mauritania (X tons) took a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Nigeria (11%), Mali (11%) and Burkina Faso (9.5%). The following importers - Liberia (X tons) and Gambia (X tons) - each resulted at a 6.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to soap in different forms imports into Ghana stood at +11.2%. At the same time, Mali (+57.1%), Gambia (+30.2%), Liberia (+29.6%), Mauritania (+25.3%), Burkina Faso (+25.2%) and Nigeria (+14.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mali emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +57.1% from 2012-2021. While the share of Mali (+11 p.p.), Mauritania (+7.6 p.p.), Burkina Faso (+6.2 p.p.), Nigeria (+2.4 p.p.), Gambia (+2.3 p.p.) and Liberia (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported soap in different forms in Western Africa, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Nigeria ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Mauritania, with an 8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Ghana totaled +9.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Nigeria (+15.1% per year) and Mauritania (+29.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a perceptible setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the import price increased by 41%. The level of import 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 importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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