Soap And Detergent Market

The global soap and detergent market is expected to see continued growth in consumption and market value over the next eight years. China is the largest consumer and producer of soap and detergents, with Germany, the United States, and China being the top exporters. Non-soap washing and cleaning preparations dominate both production and exports, while soap is the fastest-growing type of product exported. Average prices for soap and detergent exports are on the rise, with the United States having the highest export price per ton.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for soap and detergents worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 166M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $346.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Soap And Detergents

For the ninth year in a row, the global market recorded growth in consumption of soap and detergents, which increased by 0.3% to 149M tons in 2022. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 7.6%. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global soap and detergent market value amounted to $271.5B in 2022, flattening at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

China (28M tons) remains the largest soap and detergent consuming country worldwide, accounting for 19% of total volume. Moreover, soap and detergent consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (10M tons), threefold. India (9.3M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6.2% share.

In China, soap and detergent consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+2.3% per year) and India (+3.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest soap and detergent markets worldwide were China ($39.1B), Japan ($24B) and the United States ($23.3B), with a combined 32% share of the global market. Turkey, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Brazil and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +8.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of soap and detergent per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (44 kg per person), Turkey (39 kg per person) and Japan (34 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +7.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Consumption By Type

Non-soap washing and cleaning preparations (130M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, comprising approx. 87% of total volume. Moreover, non-soap washing and cleaning preparations exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, soap (19M tons), sevenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of non-soap washing and cleaning preparations consumption amounted to +2.6%.

In value terms, non-soap washing and cleaning preparations ($229.5B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by soap ($42B).

For non-soap washing and cleaning preparations, market increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012-2022.

Production

World Production of Soap And Detergents

In 2022, after eight years of growth, there was decline in production of soap and detergents, when its volume decreased by -1.3% to 146M tons. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 7.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak volume at 148M tons in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

In value terms, soap and detergent production fell to $245.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level at $288.9B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (29M tons) remains the largest soap and detergent producing country worldwide, accounting for 20% of total volume. Moreover, soap and detergent production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (10M tons), threefold. India (9.1M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +4.0%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (+0.9% per year) and India (+2.9% per year).

Production By Type

Non-soap washing and cleaning preparations (127M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, comprising approx. 87% of total volume. Moreover, non-soap washing and cleaning preparations exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, soap (19M tons), sevenfold.

For non-soap washing and cleaning preparations, production expanded at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012-2022.

In value terms, non-soap washing and cleaning preparations ($204.7B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by soap ($41B).

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of non-soap washing and cleaning preparations production totaled +1.2%.

Imports

World Imports of Soap And Detergents

In 2022, supplies from abroad of soap and detergents decreased by -19.3% to 34M tons, falling for the second consecutive year after nine years of growth. In general, imports, however, recorded a slight expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 7.9%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 43M tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, soap and detergent imports dropped to $67.4B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $76.1B in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the eight major importers of soap and detergents, namely China, Germany, the United States, the UK, Canada, France, the Netherlands and Belgium, represented more than third of total import. The following importers - Poland (661K tons), Italy (655K tons), Malaysia (574K tons), Spain (536K tons) and Japan (519K tons) - each recorded an 8.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($4.7B), Germany ($4B) and the United States ($3.6B) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 18% of global imports.

China, with a CAGR of +11.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

Non-soap washing and cleaning preparations was the largest imported product with an import of around 28M tons, which amounted to 81% of total imports. It was distantly followed by soap (6.3M tons), mixing up a 19% share of total imports.

Non-soap washing and cleaning preparations experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports. At the same time, soap (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, soap emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +3.6% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of soap increased by +4.2 percentage points.

In value terms, non-soap washing and cleaning preparations ($51.9B) constitutes the largest type of soap and detergents imported worldwide, comprising 77% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by soap ($15.6B), with a 23% share of global imports.

For non-soap washing and cleaning preparations, imports increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices By Type

The average soap and detergent import price stood at $1,985 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 9.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 11%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was soap ($2,452 per ton), while the price for non-soap washing and cleaning preparations amounted to $1,878 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by soap (+1.6%).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average soap and detergent import price amounted to $1,985 per ton, surging by 9.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 11% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($2,536 per ton), while Malaysia ($1,549 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Soap And Detergents

In 2022, overseas shipments of soap and detergents decreased by -25.1% to 31M tons, falling for the second year in a row after nine years of growth. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 8.7%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 43M tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the global exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, soap and detergent exports reduced markedly to $61.9B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 12%. The global exports peaked at $74.3B in 2021, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Exports By Country

The shipments of the twelve major exporters of soap and detergents, namely China, Germany, Indonesia, Belgium, the United States, Poland, Italy, the UK, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Turkey, represented more than half of total export. Malaysia (884K tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +6.7%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest soap and detergent supplying countries worldwide were Germany ($6.3B), the United States ($5.5B) and China ($4.8B), with a combined 27% share of global exports.

China, with a CAGR of +5.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

In 2022, non-soap washing and cleaning preparations (25M tons) represented the largest type of soap and detergents, comprising 79% of total exports. It was distantly followed by soap (6.5M tons), creating a 21% share of total exports.

Non-soap washing and cleaning preparations experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports. At the same time, soap (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, soap emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +2.0% from 2012-2022. Soap (+4.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while non-soap washing and cleaning preparations saw its share reduced by -4.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, non-soap washing and cleaning preparations ($47.5B) remains the largest type of soap and detergents supplied worldwide, comprising 77% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by soap ($14.3B), with a 23% share of global exports.

For non-soap washing and cleaning preparations, exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average soap and detergent export price amounted to $1,979 per ton, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was soap ($2,215 per ton), while the average price for exports of non-soap washing and cleaning preparations totaled $1,917 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by soap (+2.2%).

Export Prices By Country

The average soap and detergent export price stood at $1,979 per ton in 2022, growing by 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($3,230 per ton), while Indonesia ($966 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform