TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is claimed to be the second largest exporter of soap to Egypt with an export value of US$4.48 million throughout 2023. This figure equals 16.45 percent of the total market share of imported soap in Egypt, with the total value of imported soap in Egypt amounting to US$27.14 million.

The statement was conveyed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Luthfi Rauf, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, during a meeting with importers of Indonesian soap products and several other company officials and the Industrial Development Authority in Sadat City, Egypt. Lutfi explained that the export value of Indonesian soap increased 1,660 percent compared to December 2022 which was only US$255,000. According to Lutfi, this provides an opportunity to boost the export of Indonesian soap to Egypt.

Trade Attaché M. Syahran Bhakti said that soap in the Egyptian market has become a new lifedata-style, not only for household use but as a market for health and body care, gifts or souvenirs, and home fragrances. Although the import duty for Indonesian soap products is currently above 40-60 percent, Egyptian consumers still treasure Indonesian soap made from vegetable oils.

Syahran mentioned that competitors of Indonesian soap products in the Egyptian market include Malaysia in the first rank with an export value of US$21.57 million. Malaysia controls the Egyptian market share by 79.50 percent. Germany is in third place with an export value of US$523,000 with a market share of 1.93 percent. Turkey is in fourth place with an export value of US$512,000 with a market share of 1.89 percent.

One of Indonesia's soap importers, Mr. Mohamed Khallaf, said that his company imports an average of 3,000 to 4,000 tons of vegetable oil-based raw soap materials per year to be produced into solid toilet soap. He claims the product keeps the skin protected, economical, and environmentally friendly. He has been importing soap for about 10 years. His company is still targeting the middle to lower segment of the market, as it has a very high turnover, and is more sensitive to prices.

DESTY LUTHFIANI

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