Thailand: Salt Market Overview 2021

Salt Market Size in Thailand

The Thai salt market rose slightly to $X in 2020, surging by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Salt consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2020, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Salt Production in Thailand

In value terms, salt production rose slightly to $X in 2020 estimated in export prices. In general, production continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Salt production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2020, production failed to regain the momentum.

Salt Exports

Exports from Thailand

In 2020, overseas shipments of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -X% to X tonnes for the first time since 2017, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports recorded a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Exports peaked at X tonnes in 2009; however, from 2010 to 2020, exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports totaled $X in 2020. In general, total exports indicated a measured increase from 2007 to 2020: its value decreased at an average annual rate of -X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, exports increased by +X% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, exports reached the maximum at $X in 2009; however, from 2010 to 2020, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Cambodia (X tonnes), Malaysia (X tonnes) and Papua New Guinea (X tonnes) were the main destinations of salt exports from Thailand, with a combined X% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2020, the biggest increases were in Cambodia, while shipments 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, with a combined X% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Cambodia recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2020, the average salt export price amounted to $X per tonne, with an increase of X% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a pronounced increase from 2007 to 2020: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, salt export price decreased by -X% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average export prices reached the maximum at $X per tonne in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2020, export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2020, the country with the highest price was Papua New Guinea ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Marshall Islands ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, 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 2020, purchases abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -X% to X tonnes, falling for the second consecutive year after five years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tonnes. From 2019 to 2020, the growth imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt imports dropped rapidly to $X in 2020. Overall, imports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2020, the growth imports failed to regain the momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2020, China (X tonnes) constituted the largest supplier of salt to Thailand, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, salt imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Taiwan (Chinese) (X tonnes), sevenfold. India (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total imports with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (X% per year) and India (+X% per year).

In value terms, the largest salt suppliers to Thailand were Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), China ($X) and India ($X), together comprising X% of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, China 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 2020, the average salt import price amounted to $X per tonne, reducing by -X% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2014 to 2020, the growth in terms of the average import prices failed to regain the momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per tonne), while the price for China ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

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 2020 were China (65M tonnes), the U.S. (56M tonnes) and India (18M tonnes), with a combined 48% share of global consumption. These countries were followed by Germany, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, France, Canada, the UK and Turkey, which together accounted for a further 24%.

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 2020 were China (65M tonnes), the U.S. (39M tonnes) and India (28M tonnes), with a combined 46% share of global production. These countries were followed by Germany, Australia, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, France, the UK and the Netherlands, which together accounted for a further 29%.

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

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In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($1.5M), China ($1.1M) and India ($999K) appeared to be the largest salt suppliers to Thailand, together accounting for 64% of total imports.

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 ($2.5M), Papua New Guinea ($2.2M) and Malaysia ($1.6M), with a combined 55% share of total exports.

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

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The average salt export price stood at $138 per tonne in 2020, surging by 5.4% against the previous year.

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

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In 2020, the average salt import price amounted to $156 per tonne, with a decrease of -17.5% against the previous year.