Middle East: Salt Market 2022

Salt Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern salt market contracted to $X in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Salt Production in the Middle East

In value terms, salt production rose slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of X%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country in the Middle East

The countries with the highest volumes of in 2021 were Turkey (X tonnes), Iran (X tonnes) and Saudi Arabia (X tonnes), together comprising X% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +X%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, overseas shipments of salt and pure sodium chloride increased by X% to X tonnes, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, salt exports reached $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of X%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Turkey represented the major exporter of salt and pure sodium chloride in the Middle East, with the volume of exports amounting to X tonnes, which was near X% of total exports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X tonnes) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a X% share, followed by Israel (X%) and Iran (X%). The United Arab Emirates (X tonnes) took a little share of total exports.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the salt and pure sodium chloride exports, with a CAGR of +X% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Iran (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Saudi Arabia and Israel experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+X p.p.) and Israel (+X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -X%, -X% and -X% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest salt supplier in the Middle East, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Israel ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey stood at +X%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Israel (-X% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per tonne, waning by -X% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by X%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per tonne in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per tonne), while Saudi Arabia ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, purchases abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride increased by X% to X tonnes for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tonnes. From 2018 to 2021, the growth imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, salt imports dropped modestly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Qatar represented the major importing country with an import of around X tonnes, which reached X% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tonnes) took a X% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Oman (X%) and Kuwait (X%). The following importers - Iraq (X tonnes), Palestine (X tonnes) and Israel (X tonnes) - each accounted for a X% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Israel (with a CAGR of +X%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Qatar ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Oman ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for X% of total imports. These countries were followed by Kuwait, Israel, Iraq and Palestine, which together accounted for a further X the main importing countries, Israel, with a CAGR of +X%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per tonne, waning by -X% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per tonne in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination: the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per tonne), while Palestine ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Palestine (+X%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform