Sodium hydroxide market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The sodium hydroxide market in Portugal, valued at 76.3 million USD in 2018, contracted significantly over the following two years, falling to 44.2 million USD by 2020. Production followed a similar trend, dropping from 46.8 million USD to 24.3 million USD in the same period. A partial recovery occurred in 2021, with the market size rising to 61.1 million USD and production rebounding to 37.5 million USD.

The market dynamics were later influenced by broader industry trends and regulatory shifts. A key European Union directive that banned mercury-cell technology in chlorine production by 2017 continued to shape the chlor-alkali sector in Portugal, promoting a shift toward more sustainable production methods for sodium hydroxide. Furthermore, the activity of domestic chemical suppliers like SAPEC Química, with its focus on quality and environmental responsibility, played a role in the national supply landscape.

In the subsequent years, global factors affected the market. The global sodium hydroxide market anticipated considerable growth from 2022 onward, involving expansion plans and mergers among manufacturers. Market prices were simultaneously impacted by fluctuations in the costs of key raw materials like sodium chloride and electricity, as well as by changes in trade tariffs. For instance, regulatory changes in other countries, such as the elimination of special chemical industry regimes and import tax reductions, indirectly influenced the Portuguese market through international supply chains, contributing to a period of stabilization with the market size at 59.0 million USD in 2023 and 62.6 million USD in 2024.

Production sodium hydroxide in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's sodium hydroxide production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2021, output reached 37 453 thousand US dollars, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 54.3%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 20%, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.2%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2020 at 24 279 thousand US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 38.3%.

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

Exports sodium hydroxide from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Portugal's sodium hydroxide export volumes declined. In 2021, exports totaled 49.8 thousand tons, representing a substantial year-on-year decrease of 15.2%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports overall increased by 35.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 10.7%. The peak export volume was achieved in 2020 at 58.8 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2019 at 33.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain was the primary destination for sodium hydroxide exports from Portugal, accounting for 93.8% of total export volumes.

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 exports from Portugal increased. In 2021, export value amounted to 12 591 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong year-on-year rise of 16.1%. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 13.3%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 4.7%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020 at 10 849 thousand US dollars, with the most significant drop also occurring in that year at 17.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain dominated as the main buyer of sodium hydroxide from Portugal in value terms, representing 86.8% of total export value, while other countries accounted for the remainder.

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 to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

Portugal's sodium hydroxide imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 152.8 thousand tons, down 5.4% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports overall increased by 15.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 164.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.6%.

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

During 2018-2021, the Netherlands (28.0% of import volume), the United Kingdom (18.6%), and Belgium (17.7%) were the leading suppliers of sodium hydroxide to Portugal, together accounting for 64.4% of total import volumes.

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

After two years of decrease, the value of sodium hydroxide imports into Portugal rose. In 2021, imports amounted to 36 245 thousand US dollars, representing a 17.9% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 17.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 6.2%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 30 748 thousand US dollars, with the most substantial drop also occurring in that year at 28.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Spain—collectively accounted for 61.6% of the total import value of sodium hydroxide into Portugal.

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

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