Sodium Carbonate Market

The article analyzes the global sodium carbonate market, forecasting an upward consumption trend with a projected CAGR of +3.2% in volume and +4.9% in value from 2022 to 2030. Consumption reached 62M tons in 2022, ending a two-year decline, with China, the US, and India being the top consumers. Production, imports, and exports data are also provided, highlighting trends and key countries' performances in the market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for sodium carbonate worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 80M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $27.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Sodium Carbonate

In 2022, consumption of sodium carbonate increased by 0.9% to 62M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at 67M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global sodium carbonate market value reached $18.6B in 2022, surging by 5.3% against 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). Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $20B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (14M tons), the United States (7.6M tons) and India (5.6M tons), with a combined 44% share of global consumption. Russia, Japan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, France and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +7.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($3.1B), Japan ($2.3B) and the United States ($1.5B) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 38% share of the global market. India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Iran and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

France, with a CAGR of +9.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of 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 sodium carbonate per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (23 kg per person), Japan (22 kg per person) and Russia (21 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +6.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Sodium Carbonate

In 2022, global sodium carbonate production declined slightly to 62M tons, almost unchanged from the year before. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 8.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume at 66M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sodium carbonate production shrank modestly to $17.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 8.6%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $19.9B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (16M tons), the United States (14M tons) and India (5.2M tons), together accounting for 56% of global production. Turkey, Russia, Pakistan, Japan, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Germany and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +18.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Sodium Carbonate

Global sodium carbonate imports rose slightly to 17M tons in 2022, surging by 4% on the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sodium carbonate imports soared to $5.9B in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +60.3% against 2020 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

Brazil (1.6M tons) and Mexico (1.6M tons) represented the major importers of sodium carbonate in 2022, amounting to approx. 9.3% and 9.1% of total imports, respectively. It was followed by Indonesia (901K tons), committing a 5.2% share of total imports. Thailand (726K tons), Chile (658K tons), Vietnam (628K tons), Malaysia (586K tons), the Netherlands (560K tons), Spain (539K tons), India (533K tons), Italy (517K tons), Egypt (495K tons) and South Africa (453K tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Malaysia (with a CAGR of +20.5%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($614M), Mexico ($426M) and Indonesia ($275M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 22% of global imports. Thailand, Chile, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Egypt, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

Malaysia, with a CAGR of +19.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average sodium carbonate import price amounted to $336 per ton, rising by 44% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in India ($387 per ton) and Brazil ($376 per ton), while South Africa ($261 per ton) and Mexico ($269 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+6.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Sodium Carbonate

In 2022, global sodium carbonate exports totaled 18M tons, leveling off at the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% 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 2017 when exports increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, sodium carbonate exports soared to $5.4B in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +73.5% against 2020 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

The United States (6.5M tons) and Turkey (4.5M tons) represented roughly 62% of total exports in 2022. China (2.1M tons) took a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Bulgaria (6.1%). Spain (553K tons), Russia (501K tons), Bosnia and Herzegovina (428K tons), Kenya (284K tons), Botswana (276K tons), the Netherlands (269K tons) and Germany (269K tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +186.3%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($1.7B), Turkey ($1.4B) and China ($805M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 73% share of global exports.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +153.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average sodium carbonate export price amounted to $303 per ton, growing by 52% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.5%. 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 Netherlands ($411 per ton), while Bulgaria ($193 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+6.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform