Toilet soap bars and impregnated materials market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for toilet soap bars and impregnated materials in Greece expanded from 12,105 t in 2018 to 16,405 t in 2021. This growth was initially fueled by legislative changes that allowed the sale of hygiene products in supermarkets and grocery stores, broadening consumer access, alongside the emergence of Papoutsanis S.A. as a significant domestic producer of disinfectant and pharmaceutical soaps. Innovations in sustainable packaging, such as soap-based bottles introduced in 2019, likely supported consumer interest. Despite distribution restrictions on non-essential industrial goods in 2020, the market maintained a stable upward path, with growth accelerating in 2021.

Trade dynamics showed notable shifts, with imports fluctuating between 6,740 t and 10,386 t over 2018-2024 and exports rising sharply from 908 t in 2018 to a peak of 4,726 t in 2022. Recent regulatory developments in 2024 introduced new rules on packaging waste and consumer information requirements, focusing on environmental sustainability and transparency for soap products.

Production toilet soap bars and impregnated materials in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Greece's production of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 21 546 thousand US dollars, marking a 33.4% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production more than doubled, rising by 101.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 26.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Greece's production volume of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 9 431 tonnes, up 30.7% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production nearly doubled, growing by 99.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports toilet soap bars and impregnated materials from Greece

Exports in kind, t

Exports of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials from Greece have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, shipments abroad totaled 1 869 tonnes, a 98.5% jump year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 142.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 34.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece's exports of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials were not heavily concentrated in a few markets. Cyprus accounted for 24.8% of exports, the United Kingdom for 13.5%, and the Netherlands for 9.7%, with these three countries together making up 48.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Greece's exports of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 6 135 thousand US dollars, an 80.6% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 143.1%, with an average annual rate of 34.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the top destinations for Greece's exports in value terms. Cyprus represented 23.5% of export value, the United Kingdom 22.3%, and the Netherlands 10.3%, together accounting for 56.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020

Imports toilet soap bars and impregnated materials to Greece

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Greece's imports of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials in volume terms reached 6 877 tonnes, down 12.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 16.9%, with a compound annual decline of 6.0%. The only increase during this time was a modest 1.9% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Turkey, and China were consistently the main sources for Greece's imports in volume terms. Germany supplied 68.4% of imports, Turkey 9.8%, and China 5.0%, with these three countries together making up 83.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Greece's imports of toilet soap bars and impregnated materials in value terms increased in 2020, reaching 14 230 thousand US dollars, up 2.7% from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports overall decreased by 9.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 859 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest drop of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany, Turkey, and China were the primary sources for Greece's imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 60.1% of import value, Turkey for 7.4%, and China for 6.2%, with these three countries together representing 73.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020