Soap in Israel

A 1,200-year-old olive oil soap factory was found in the Negev Desert, indicating the long-standing tradition of using olive oil as the primary ingredient for soap.

The soap industry in Israel is a relatively small industry, with a handful of companies operating in the market. The industry produces a variety of soaps, including bar soaps, liquid soaps, and natural soaps made from ingredients like olive oil, honey, and Dead Sea minerals.

One of the leading companies in the Israeli soap industry is Sabon, which was founded in 1997 and has since expanded to operate over 150 stores worldwide. Sabon specializes in natural soaps and body care products, and its products are sold in Israel and other countries.

Another prominent company in the Israeli soap industry is Ein Gedi Cosmetics, which produces a range of cosmetics and skincare products, including soaps made from natural ingredients like olive oil and pomegranate extract. The company’s products are sold in Israel and abroad.

Other smaller companies in the Israeli soap industry include Ahava, which specializes in skincare products made from Dead Sea minerals, and Lavido, which produces natural skincare products and soaps made from botanical ingredients.

Overall, while the soap industry in Israel may be relatively small, it has a focus on natural and high-quality ingredients, which is reflected in the products produced by the companies operating in the market.

Economic Aspects

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics in Israel, Israel’s soap and cleaning preparations industry generated a total revenue of approximately 1.6 billion Israeli Shekels (approximately $490 million USD) in 2020. The industry employed around 1,300 workers and accounted for about 0.3% of the country’s total industrial production in the same year.

The soap industry in Israel is dominated by a few major companies, such as Sodasan, and several smaller companies produce handmade soaps and other cleaning products.

Israel imports a significant amount of soap and cleaning preparations, with imports valued at approximately 210 million Israeli Shekels (approximately USD 64 million) in 2020. The main countries from which Israel imports soap products are China, the United States, and Germany.

On the export side, Israel exported approximately 220 million Israeli Shekels (approximately USD 67 million) worth of soap and cleaning preparations in 2020. The main export destinations for Israeli soap products are the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

Boutique HandMade Soaps

There are many handmade boutique soap makers in Israel. Here are a few options:

1. Olive Tree Soap Company – The Olive Tree Soap Company makes handmade soaps using olive oil and other natural ingredients. Their products are sold in stores and online.
2. Lavido – Lavido is a boutique skincare company based in Israel. They make a variety of natural skin care products, including handmade soaps.
3. Lohn – Lohn is a small-batch soap maker based in Tel Aviv. They make all of their soaps by hand, using natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils.
4. Eliah Sahil – Eliah Sahil is a German-Israeli brand that makes organic, handmade soaps using natural ingredients like herbs, spices, and flowers.

These are just a few examples of handmade soap makers in Israel. There are many more out there, so finding the perfect soap for you is worth researching.

The global soap market, which includes Israel, is projected to grow from $45.58 billion in 2023 to $67.18 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.70%. This indicates a robust market environment influencing local industries like Israel’s. The bath & body soaps segment is expected to lead under product types during this period, driven by innovations and heightened health and hygiene awareness.

Research with by OpenGDP, google and Central Bureau of Statistics and cross-checked by VonNaftali