Africa: Salt Market Overview 2020

Salt Market Size in Africa

In 2019, the African salt market decreased by -X% to $X for the first time since 2015, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 when the market value increased by X% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018, and then fell in the following year.

Salt Production in Africa

In value terms, salt production fell notably to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of X% y-o-y. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then reduced dramatically in the following year.

Production By Country in Africa

The countries with the highest volumes of salt production in 2019 were Tunisia (X tonnes), Egypt (X tonnes) and Angola (X tonnes), together accounting for X% of total production.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of salt production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Tunisia, while salt production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2019, overseas shipments of salt and pure sodium chloride increased by X% to X tonnes, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports posted a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of X% y-o-y. The volume of export peaked in 2019 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, salt exports dropped to $X in 2019. Total exports indicated resilient growth from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, exports increased by +X% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by X% y-o-y. As a result, exports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2019, Egypt (X tonnes) was the largest exporter of salt and pure sodium chloride, achieving X% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Tunisia (X tonnes), Morocco (X tonnes) and Senegal (X tonnes), together mixing up a X% share of total exports. The following exporters - Kenya (X tonnes), Namibia (X tonnes) and Botswana (X tonnes) - each amounted to a X% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, average annual rates of growth with regard to salt exports from Egypt stood at +X%. At the same time, Morocco (+X%), Tunisia (+X%), Botswana (+X%), Senegal (+X%) and Kenya (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2019. By contrast, Namibia (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2019, the share of Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal and Botswana increased by +X%, +X%, +X%, +X% and +X% percentage points, while Namibia (-X p.p.) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest salt supplying countries in Africa were Tunisia ($X), Egypt ($X) and Kenya ($X), with a combined X% share of total exports. Namibia, Morocco, Botswana and Senegal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X the main exporting countries, Morocco recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The salt export price in Africa stood at $X per tonne in 2019, waning by -X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, export price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2015 to 2019, the growth in terms of the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per tonne), while Egypt ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Imports

Imports in Africa

After two years of decline, purchases abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride increased by X% to X tonnes in 2019. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tonnes in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2019, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt imports rose remarkably to $X in 2019. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports increased by +X% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2019, South Africa (X tonnes), distantly followed by Nigeria (X tonnes), Uganda (X tonnes), Tanzania (X tonnes), Cote d'Ivoire (X tonnes) and Zimbabwe (X tonnes) were the main importers of salt and pure sodium chloride, together creating X% of total imports. Niger (X tonnes), Zambia (X tonnes), Burkina Faso (X tonnes), Kenya (X tonnes), Mali (X tonnes) and Cameroon (X tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2019, average annual rates of growth with regard to salt imports into South Africa stood at +X%. At the same time, Tanzania (+X%), Burkina Faso (+X%), Cameroon (+X%), Niger (+X%), Zambia (+X%), Uganda (+X%), Cote d'Ivoire (+X%), Mali (+X%) and Zimbabwe (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2019. Kenya experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Nigeria (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Tanzania (+X p.p.), South Africa (+X p.p.), Uganda (+X p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (+X p.p.), Burkina Faso (+X p.p.), Cameroon (+X p.p.), Niger (+X p.p.) and Zambia (+X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Nigeria saw its share reduced by -X% from 2007 to 2019, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported salt and pure sodium chloride in Africa, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Uganda ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a X% share.

In Nigeria, salt imports increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2019. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Uganda (+X% per year) and South Africa (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The salt import price in Africa stood at $X per tonne in 2019, with an increase of X% against the previous year. Import price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2007 to 2019: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, salt import price increased by +X% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2009 an increase of X% year-to-year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2010 to 2019, the growth in terms of the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per tonne), while Cameroon ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for salt and pure sodium chloride in Africa?

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Tunisia (4M tonnes) remains the largest salt consuming country in Africa, comprising approx. 40% of total volume. Moreover, salt consumption in Tunisia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Angola (1.6M tonnes), threefold. Egypt (1.4M tonnes) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 14% share.

What are the largest producers of salt and pure sodium chloride in Africa?

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The countries with the highest volumes of salt production in 2019 were Tunisia (5.7M tonnes), Egypt (4.9M tonnes) and Angola (1.6M tonnes), together accounting for 79% of total production.

What are the leading exporters of salt and pure sodium chloride in Africa?

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In value terms, the largest salt supplying countries in Africa were Tunisia ($90M), Egypt ($73M) and Kenya ($43M), together accounting for 61% of total exports. Namibia, Morocco, Botswana and Senegal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

What are the leading importers of salt and pure sodium chloride in Africa?

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In value terms, Nigeria ($68M) constitutes the largest market for imported salt and pure sodium chloride in Africa, comprising 27% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Uganda ($27M), with a 11% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 8.4% share.

What is the average export price for salt and pure sodium chloride in Africa?

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The salt export price in Africa stood at $46 per tonne in 2019, falling by -23.9% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for salt and pure sodium chloride in Africa?

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The salt import price in Africa stood at $118 per tonne in 2019, with an increase of 5% against the previous year.