Thailand: Salt Market Overview 2021

Salt Market Size in Thailand

After twelve years of growth, the Thai salt market decreased by -X% to $X in 2019. In general, consumption, however, showed buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when the market value increased by X% year-to-year. Salt consumption peaked at $X in 2018, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Salt Production in Thailand

In value terms, salt production expanded notably to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when the production volume increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level in 2019 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Salt Exports

Exports from Thailand

Salt exports from Thailand shrank to X tonnes in 2019, falling by -X% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports saw a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports reached the maximum at X tonnes in 2009; however, from 2010 to 2019, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports shrank slightly to $X in 2019. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Exports peaked at $X in 2009; however, from 2010 to 2019, exports failed to regain the momentum.

Exports by Country

Cambodia (X tonnes), Malaysia (X tonnes) and Papua New Guinea (X tonnes) were the main destinations of salt exports from Thailand, together accounting for X% of total exports. The Philippines, Myanmar, Viet Nam, Kiribati, Bangladesh, Singapore, South Korea, Marshall Islands, Taiwan (Chinese) and Lao People's Democratic Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Kiribati (+X% per year), while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Cambodia ($X), Papua New Guinea ($X) and Malaysia ($X) constituted the largest markets for salt exported from Thailand worldwide, together accounting for X% of total exports. Myanmar, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Singapore, Bangladesh, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Kiribati, South Korea, Taiwan (Chinese) and Marshall Islands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X (+X% per year) recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the average salt export price amounted to $X per tonne, increasing by X% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a measured increase 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 export price decreased by -X% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of X% year-to-year. As a result, export price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2018 to 2019, the growth in terms of the average export prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Viet Nam ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Marshall Islands ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Taiwan (Chinese), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Imports

Imports into Thailand

In 2019, supplies from abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -X% to X tonnes for the first time since 2016, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tonnes in 2018, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

In value terms, salt imports fell to $X in 2019. In general, imports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of X% year-to-year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Imports by Country

India (X tonnes), China (X tonnes) and New Zealand (X tonnes) were the main suppliers of salt imports to Thailand, together comprising X% of total imports. These countries were followed by Malaysia and Taiwan (Chinese), which together accounted for a further X 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Taiwan (Chinese) (+X% per year), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($X) constituted the largest supplier of salt to Thailand, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by China ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from India totaled +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+X% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average salt import price stood at $X per tonne in 2019, jumping by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when the average import price increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2009 to 2019, the growth in terms of the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

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

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The countries with the highest volumes of salt consumption in 2019 were China (77M tonnes), the U.S. (62M tonnes) and India (18M tonnes), with a combined 51% share of global consumption. These countries were followed by Australia, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, France, the UK and Turkey, which together accounted for a further 22%.

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

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The countries with the highest volumes of salt production in 2019 were China (69M tonnes), the U.S. (42M tonnes) and India (31M tonnes), with a combined 47% share of global production. Canada, Germany, Australia, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Egypt, Turkey, France and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

What are the leading suppliers of salt and pure sodium chloride to Thailand?

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In value terms, India ($6.1M) constituted the largest supplier of salt to Thailand, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by China ($2.2M), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a 17% share.

What are the leading importers of salt and pure sodium chloride from Thailand?

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In value terms, the largest markets for salt exported from Thailand were Cambodia ($2M), Papua New Guinea ($1.7M) and Malaysia ($1.2M), with a combined 56% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Myanmar, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Singapore, Bangladesh, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Kiribati, South Korea, Taiwan (Chinese) and Marshall Islands, which together accounted for a further 34%.

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

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In 2019, the average salt export price amounted to $166 per tonne, picking up by 4.6% against the previous year.

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

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In 2019, the average salt import price amounted to $65 per tonne, jumping by 67% against the previous year.