Northern America's Salt Market Forecast Shows Modest Growth With a 0.2% CAGR Through 2035

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The Northern American salt market saw consumption decline to 57M tons in 2024, with the US accounting for 82% of volume. Production was 48M tons, and the region is a net importer (14M tons). The market is forecast for modest growth, with volume projected to reach 59M tons (CAGR +0.2%) and value $6.2B (CAGR +0.4%) by 2035. The US dominates in both consumption and production, while Canada has higher per capita consumption. Import and export prices have shown moderate increases.

Key Findings

• Market forecast to grow modestly to 59M tons (CAGR +0.2%) and $6.2B (CAGR +0.4%) by 2035
• United States dominates, consuming 82% (47M tons) and producing 80% of regional volume
• Region is a net importer, with 2024 imports (14M tons) significantly exceeding exports (4.8M tons)
• Canada exhibits the highest per capita salt consumption at 266 kg per person
• Export prices ($75/ton) are substantially higher than import prices ($48/ton)

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for salt in Northern America, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 59M tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +0.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.2B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

Northern America's Consumption of Salt and Pure Sodium Chloride

For the third consecutive year, Northern America recorded decline in consumption of salt and pure sodium chloride, which decreased by -2.2% to 57M tons in 2024. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The volume of consumption peaked at 72M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The revenue of the salt market in Northern America dropped slightly to $5.9B in 2024, falling by -4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The total consumption indicated notable growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -23.7% against 2022 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $8.1B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The United States (47M tons) remains the largest salt consuming country in Northern America, accounting for 82% of total volume. Moreover, salt consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Canada (10M tons), fivefold.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in the United States totaled -1.1%.

In value terms, the United States ($5.5B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Canada ($440M).

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States totaled +2.5%.

The countries with the highest levels of salt per capita consumption in 2024 were Canada (266 kg per person) and the United States (139 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +0.3%).

Production

Northern America's Production of Salt and Pure Sodium Chloride

In 2024, salt production in Northern America fell slightly to 48M tons, remaining relatively unchanged against the year before. In general, production continues to indicate a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 3.4% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 56M tons. From 2015 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt production declined slightly to $5.6B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a pronounced expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -23.6% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 55%. The level of production peaked at $7.5B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The United States (38M tons) remains the largest salt producing country in Northern America, accounting for 80% of total volume. Moreover, salt production in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Canada (9.8M tons), fourfold.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume in the United States was relatively modest.

Imports

Northern America's Imports of Salt and Pure Sodium Chloride

Salt imports reduced to 14M tons in 2024, waning by -13.3% against 2023. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 145% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 23M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt imports declined to $681M in 2024. Total imports indicated measured growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -7.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $954M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2024, the United States (11M tons) represented the key importer of salt and pure sodium chloride, committing 75% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Canada (3.5M tons), committing a 25% share of total imports.

The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of salt and pure sodium chloride. At the same time, Canada (+7.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Canada emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Northern America, with a CAGR of +7.2% from 2013-2024. From 2013 to 2024, the share of Canada increased by +13 percentage points.

In value terms, the United States ($500M) constitutes the largest market for imported salt and pure sodium chloride in Northern America, comprising 73% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Canada ($181M), with a 27% share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States was relatively modest.

Import Prices By Country

The import price in Northern America stood at $48 per ton in 2024, with an increase of 3.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price posted a modest expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 242%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $139 per ton. From 2015 to 2024, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($52 per ton), while the United States amounted to $47 per ton.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+2.0%).

Exports

Northern America's Exports of Salt and Pure Sodium Chloride

In 2024, approx. 4.8M tons of salt and pure sodium chloride were exported in Northern America; falling by -17.4% compared with 2023 figures. Over the period under review, exports recorded a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at 7.2M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports declined to $358M in 2024. Total exports indicated a measured expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports decreased by -20.5% against 2021 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 32%. The level of export peaked at $450M in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2024, Canada (2.8M tons) and the United States (1.9M tons) was the main exporter of salt and pure sodium chloride in Northern America, making up 99.9% of total export.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +11.4%).

In value terms, the United States ($244M) remains the largest salt supplier in Northern America, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Canada ($114M), with a 32% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States stood at +8.4%.

Export Prices By Country

The export price in Northern America stood at $75 per ton in 2024, picking up by 4.7% against the previous year. Export price indicated a tangible increase from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, salt export price increased by +26.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $81 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($125 per ton), while Canada stood at $40 per ton.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+1.8%).