Middle East: Salt Market Overview 2021

Salt Market Size in the Middle East

In 2019, the Middle Eastern salt market decreased by -X% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. The total consumption indicated a perceptible 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, consumption decreased by -X% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% y-o-y. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Salt Production in the Middle East

In value terms, salt production shrank to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. The total production indicated a moderate increase 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, production decreased by -X% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when the production volume increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 volume. Moreover, salt production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Saudi Arabia (X tonnes), threefold. Iran (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume in Turkey amounted to +X%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Saudi Arabia (+X% per year) and Iran (-X% per year).

Salt Exports

Exports in the Middle East

After three years of growth, overseas shipments of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -X% to X tonnes in 2019. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tonnes in 2018, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

In value terms, salt exports soared to $X in 2019. In general, exports, however, saw a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports reached the peak figure in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

In 2019, Turkey (X tonnes) was the major exporter of salt and pure sodium chloride, creating X% of total exports. Saudi Arabia (X tonnes) occupied the second position in the ranking, followed by Iran (X tonnes). All these countries together held approx. X% share of total exports. The following exporters - the United Arab Emirates (X tonnes) and Jordan (X tonnes) - each accounted for a X% 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 2007 to 2019. At the same time, Jordan (+X%) and Saudi Arabia (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Iran experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2019, the share of Turkey increased by +X% percentage points, while Jordan (-X p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (-X p.p.), Saudi Arabia (-X p.p.) and Iran (-X p.p.) saw their share reduced.

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

In Turkey, salt exports 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: Saudi Arabia (+X% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the salt export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per tonne, picking up by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when the export price increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, export prices hit record highs at $X per tonne in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

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

Salt Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2019, salt imports in the Middle East fell to X tonnes, with a decrease of -X% on 2018 figures. Total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2007 to 2019: its volume 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, imports increased by +X% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tonnes in 2018, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, salt imports reduced notably to $X in 2019. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% y-o-y. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Qatar (X tonnes) represented the key importer of salt and pure sodium chloride, creating X% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tonnes), Syrian Arab Republic (X tonnes) and Oman (X tonnes), together making up a X% share of total imports. Kuwait (X tonnes) and Iraq (X tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Qatar increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2019. At the same time, Iraq (+X%), the United Arab Emirates (+X%), Syrian Arab Republic (+X%), Oman (+X%) and Kuwait (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iraq emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2019. From 2007 to 2019, the share of the United Arab Emirates and Syrian Arab Republic increased by +X% and +X% percentage points, while Qatar (-X p.p.) saw their share reduced. 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 2019, together accounting for X% of total imports. These countries were followed by Syrian Arab Republic, Iraq and Kuwait, which together accounted for a further X recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the salt import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per tonne, with a decrease of -X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011 an increase of X% year-to-year. The level of import peaked at $X per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, import prices failed to regain the momentum.

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

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait, while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

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

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Turkey (5.5M tonnes) remains the largest salt consuming country in the Middle East, accounting for 42% of total volume. Moreover, salt consumption in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Saudi Arabia (2.2M tonnes), twofold. Iran (2M tonnes) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 15% share.

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

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Turkey (5.9M tonnes) remains the largest salt producing country in the Middle East, comprising approx. 49% of total volume. Moreover, salt production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Saudi Arabia (2.3M tonnes), threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Iran (2M tonnes), with a 17% share.

What are the leading suppliers of salt and pure sodium chloride in the the Middle East?

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In value terms, Turkey ($38M) remains the largest salt supplier in the Middle East, comprising 40% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Saudi Arabia ($13M), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 6.5% share.

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

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In value terms, the largest salt importing markets in the Middle East were Qatar ($19M), the United Arab Emirates ($17M) and Oman ($6M), with a combined 67% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Syrian Arab Republic, Iraq and Kuwait, which together accounted for a further 18%.

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

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In 2019, the salt export price in the Middle East amounted to $137 per tonne, rising by 21% against the previous year.

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

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In 2019, the salt import price in the Middle East amounted to $45 per tonne, shrinking by -34% against the previous year.