Sodium hydroxide aqueous market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese sodium hydroxide aqueous market opened the period at 72 979 thousand USD in 2018, supported by the presence of influential state-owned entities like SAPEC Química and a growing industrial preference for solutions in various concentrations. Market volume then contracted to 42 783 thousand USD by 2020, as pandemic-related supply chain disruptions from COVID-19 impacted overall activity, despite a concurrent rise in demand for disinfectant production which uses sodium hydroxide as a raw material.

A recovery to 59 399 thousand USD occurred in 2021, driven primarily by the entry of new players focusing on industrial and biopharmaceutical applications, which expanded product supply and market segmentation. This expansion was reinforced by investments from national companies in modernizing production facilities to meet stricter environmental and safety standards, while the growing domestic biopharmaceutical segment further stimulated demand for specialized, concentration-controlled solutions.

In the following years, the market showed stabilization, with volume at 57 076 thousand USD in 2023 before reaching 60 833 thousand USD in 2024. This trend reflected sustained demand alongside the industry's ongoing adaptation to evolving European regulations on hazardous chemical labeling, packaging, and safety data sheets.

Production sodium hydroxide aqueous in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Portugal's sodium hydroxide aqueous production rebounded in 2021. Output reached 37,423 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 54.1% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 20.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.2%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2020 at 24,279 thousand US dollars, while the steepest drop occurred in 2019 with a 38.3% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports sodium hydroxide aqueous from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Portugal's sodium hydroxide aqueous exports declined in 2021. The country exported 49.1 thousand tonnes, representing a 16.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 39.4%, averaging an 11.7% annual growth rate. The peak export volume was recorded in 2020 at 58.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2019 at 36.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Portugal's export market for sodium hydroxide aqueous was highly concentrated, with Spain accounting for 95.0% of all shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of sodium hydroxide aqueous exports from Portugal increased in 2021. Export revenues reached 11,910 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 14.2% rise compared to the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, export values decreased by 7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 10,430 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decrease of 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Portugal's sodium hydroxide aqueous export market in value terms was dominated by a single destination: Spain, which accounted for 92.7% of total export revenues.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports sodium hydroxide aqueous to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

Portugal's sodium hydroxide aqueous imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2021. Import volumes reached 149.6 thousand tonnes, representing a 5.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 19.3%, averaging 6.1% annual growth. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 159.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 27.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, the Netherlands (28.6% of import volumes), the United Kingdom (19.1%), and Belgium (18.1%) consistently led Portugal's sodium hydroxide aqueous import market, together accounting for 65.8% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Portugal's sodium hydroxide aqueous import value totaled 33,885 thousand US dollars, showing a 17.1% increase compared to 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, import values decreased by 13%, with an average annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 28,934 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 39,544 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decrease was recorded in 2020 with a 26.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (26.3% of import value), the United Kingdom (22.9%), and Spain (13.9%) formed the core group of sources for Portugal's sodium hydroxide aqueous imports, together accounting for 63.0% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021