Industrial bar soap imports in Uganda: data, top suppliers and prices
Uganda imported $18.6 million of industrial bar soap in 2024 (18.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 102% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 90% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $18.6M | 18.9K t |
| 2023 | $9.2M | 8.8K t |
| 2022 | $4.6M | 3.8K t |
| 2021 | $2.1M | 2.9K t |
| 2020 | $1.5M | 1.6K t |
| 2019 | $474K | 448 t |
| 2018 | $1.7M | 1.3K t |
| 2017 | $205K | 108 t |
Where Uganda imports industrial bar soap from
One supplier dominates: Kenya accounted for 94% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Kenya grew fastest (+110% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $17.5M | 94% |
| China | $522K | 2.8% |
| Spain | $142K | 0.8% |
| Austria | $85K | 0.5% |
| United Kingdom | $67K | 0.4% |
| Egypt | $65K | 0.4% |
| Tanzania | $49K | 0.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $48K | 0.3% |
| Estonia | $43K | 0.2% |
| Turkey | $38K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.98 per kg, 42% below the world average of $1.70, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Industrial bar soap exports from Uganda
Uganda exported $14.7 million of industrial bar soap in 2024 (18.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. One buyer market dominates: South Sudan accounted for 91% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan | $13.3M | 91% |
| Tanzania | $898K | 6.1% |
| DR Congo | $340K | 2.3% |
| Rwanda | $104K | 0.7% |
| United States | $1K | 0% |
| Malawi | $0K | 0% |
| Cameroon | $0K | 0% |
| Ireland | $0K | 0% |
| Namibia | $0K | 0% |
| Denmark | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda industrial bar soap imports (HS 3401.19): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 3401.19: Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, not for toilet use.
Common questions
What is the value of industrial bar soap imported by Uganda?
Uganda imported industrial bar soap worth $18.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 18.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 34th of 221 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 102% on 2023.
Which countries supply industrial bar soap to Uganda?
Kenya was the largest supplier with 94% of the value ($17.5 million), followed by China (3%) and Spain (1%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 34 supplier countries in total. Kenya grew fastest among the top ten, up 110% on the year.
What is the average import price of industrial bar soap per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.98 per kg in 2024, 42% below the world average of $1.70 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of industrial bar soap to Uganda changed since 2017?
Imports went from $205 thousand in 2017 to $18.6 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $4.8 million a year.
Does Uganda also export industrial bar soap?
Yes. Uganda exported $14.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Sudan, Tanzania and the DR Congo. On balance Uganda is a net importer of this product, by about $3.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for industrial bar soap?
The HS code for industrial bar soap is subheading 3401.19. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3401 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Uganda, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World industrial bar soap trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for Uganda
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