Middle East - Salt - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Update: COVID-19 Impact

Middle East: Salt Market Overview 2020

Salt Market Size in the Middle East

The revenue of the salt market in the Middle East amounted to $X in 2018, dropping by -X% against the previous year. In general, salt consumption continues to indicate buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2012 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the salt market reached its maximum level at $X in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Salt Production in the Middle East

In value terms, salt production stood at $X in 2018 estimated in export prices. The total output indicated a prominent increase from 2007 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, salt production increased by +X% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2009 when production volume increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, salt production reached its peak figure level at $X in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Production By Country in the Middle East

Turkey (X tonnes) remains the largest salt producing country in the Middle East, comprising approx. X% of total production. Moreover, salt production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the region's second-largest producer, Saudi Arabia (X tonnes), twofold. Iran (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a X% share.

In Turkey, salt production expanded at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2018. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+X% per year) and Iran (-X% per year).

Salt Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2018, the exports of salt and pure sodium chloride in the Middle East amounted to X tonnes, increasing by X% against the previous year. In general, salt exports continue to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when exports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, salt exports attained their maximum at X tonnes in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports amounted to $X in 2018. The total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2007 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, salt exports increased by +X% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% y-o-y. The level of exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the major exporting country with an export of around X tonnes, which resulted at X% of total exports. Saudi Arabia (X tonnes) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a X% share, followed by Iran (X%) and Israel (X%).

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the salt and pure sodium chloride exports, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007 to 2018. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+X%) and Iran (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Israel (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+X p.p.), Saudi Arabia (+X p.p.) and Iran (+X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Israel saw its share reduced by -X% from 2007 to 2018, respectively.

In value terms, the largest salt markets in the Middle East were Turkey ($X), Israel ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X), with a combined X% share of total exports.

Turkey experienced the highest growth rate of exports, among the main exporting countries over the last eleven years, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the salt export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per tonne, declining by -X% against the previous year. Overall, the salt export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the export price increased by X% year-to-year. In that year, the export prices for salt and pure sodium chloride attained their peak level of $X per tonne, and then declined slightly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per tonne), while Iran ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iran, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Salt Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2018, approx. X tonnes of salt and pure sodium chloride were imported in the Middle East; rising by X% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, salt imports reached their peak figure at X tonnes in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, imports failed to regain their momentum.

In value terms, salt imports amounted to $X in 2018. The total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2007 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. The level of imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2018, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Qatar represented the main importing country with an import of around X tonnes, which amounted to X% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tonnes) held a X% share (based on tonnes) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Oman (X%), Kuwait (X%) and Israel (X%). The following importers - Syrian Arab Republic (X tonnes) and Lebanon (X tonnes) - each finished at a X% share of total imports.

Qatar experienced a relatively flat trend pattern of salt and pure sodium chloride imports. At the same time, Israel (+X%), Oman (+X%), Kuwait (+X%), Syrian Arab Republic (+X%) and the United Arab Emirates (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Israel emerged as the fastest-growing importer in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2018. Lebanon experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Oman (+X p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+X p.p.), Israel (+X p.p.), Kuwait (+X p.p.) and Syrian Arab Republic (+X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Qatar saw its share reduced by -X% from 2007 to 2018, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Qatar ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Oman ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, with a combined X% share of total imports. Kuwait, Syrian Arab Republic, Israel and Lebanon lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X the main importing countries, Israel experienced the highest rates of growth with regard to imports, over the last eleven-year period, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The salt import price in the Middle East stood at $X per tonne in 2018, increasing by X% against the previous year. The import price indicated a mild increase from 2007 to 2018: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, salt import price decreased by -X% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of X% against the previous year. In that year, the import prices for salt and pure sodium chloride attained their peak level of $X per tonne. From 2016 to 2018, the growth in terms of the import prices for salt and pure sodium chloride remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Syrian Arab Republic ($X per tonne), while Qatar ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform