According to Fortune Business Insights, the global soap market size in 2019 was around 34.09 Billion USD. Moreover, the market size by 2027 is estimated to reach 55.29 Billion USD. According to the 2019 international trade data visualizations, the country with significant soap importers includes the United States, followed by Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, and France.
Concerning the Product Complexity Index (PCI), Soap stands at the 791st position. Some countries with import tariffs ordered from highest to lowest include- Iran, Cape Verde, Syria, Turkmenistan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway.
Regional market trends, campaigns propagating concepts of cleanliness and hygiene in various regions play a crucial role in building the soap market. In addition, imported soap products with cost-effective solutions help boost the market too.
There are big players in every continent who are involved in the import and distribution of soaps. This article will help you gain knowledge about the prominent soap buyers and what drives the growth of the soap market.
Regional Soap Market Analysis
Let’s briefly discuss some of the essential regions having soap markets and their import values and understand the growth statistics.
- North America
The American Cleaning Institute released an extensive survey in March 2020. It mentioned that about 69% of Americans from the survey result are using hygienic and cleaning products to prevent the COVID-19 infection.
Incredibly, North American consumers are fascinated with highly-priced premium herbal products, which propels the growth of the soap market. In 2019, the US ranked first among the soap buyers list, importing about USD 498 Million.
For example, considering one such scenario, the US imported household and commercial purpose soap, bath preparation gift sets, and other items from the shipper named Nordress Modevertriebs Gmbh destined to Miami, Florida.
Top Soap Importers In The US
- Sparkman Industries INC
- Mistrall LLC
- Turkoise LLC
- Cargo Cats Warehouse, etc.
- Europe
The European market is highly conscious of maintaining hygiene and sanitation. If you go through the data released in 2019, reported by the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products (AISE), you will find that in 2017 the European customers spent USD 30.07 Billion.
Whereas, a year ahead in 2018, it increased to USD 34.85 Billion. The millennial population fueled the European market growth with their increasing demand. German soap market is renowned worldwide, with import data of about USD 374 Million in 2019.
But Germany also stood as the top exporter, with an export value of USD 638 Million. For instance, Nordress Modevertriebs Gmbh mentioned earlier is one such famous German-based exporter with 31 shipment records with the United States.
Top Soap Importers In Europe
- Ophardt
- Unilever Deutschland Produktions GmbH & Co. OHG
- Asia Pacific
Popular countries like India, Australia, South Korea, Japan, China, etc., mark the dominant visibility of the market region in the Asia Pacific. In 2019, the soap market size was effectively USD 12.63 Billion. China’s import value alone escalated at a higher pace after a specific duration of the review.
Data released in 2019 by UNICEF revealed that around 58% of Asian countries had obtained essential handwashing soap and water in school premises. Upgrades and urbanization are also actively boosting the market.
The soap products are mainly in demand due to the increasing literacy rate, ensuring the significance of washing hands and staying healthy. Therefore, UNICEF came forth with their campaign initiatives in Indian rural areas to propagate the benefits of sanitization and handwashing, which propelled the soap market.
Top Soap Importers In Asia Pacific
- Hindustan Unilever LTD
- Wing Hing (QLD) PTY Limited
- Hume Import & Export Pty. LTD
- Final Choice Crockery
- Africa, South America, Middle East
The South American soap market is estimated to reach USD 4.88 Billion by 2023, with the dominance of household soaps. The soap markets are gradually evolving and expanding in the South American, Middle East and African regions.
Factors like the handwashing hygiene campaign by the World Health Organization have driven both the demand and importance of the imported soaps and soap products as a whole.
Top Soap Importers In Africa, South America, & Middle East
- C Plus
- Judith Christian Emboya MS
- Hardware Africa Ltd
- Setway Investment Company Limited
- Colgate Palmolive Co
Which Innovations Are Propelling The Soap Market Growth?
After going through the market trends and research, you must be well aware that soaps are highly used in the commercial industry and household activity. Both liquid and solid forms of surfactants are globally traded.
The primary reason behind soap imports is the availability of diverse and innovative products. Customers are fascinated with sustainable soap products. As a result, manufacturers deliver innovations like fragrant and unique soaps prepared with organic ingredients.
Unilever’s famous brand, Dove, proposed reducing plastic by replacing it with recyclable products. The act suggested by Unilever in 2020 is an example of innovation that creates a positive impact and supports market growth.