Global Salt Market Overview 2020

Salt Market Size

In 2019, the global salt market increased by X% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after three years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Global consumption peaked in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Salt Production

In value terms, salt production shrank modestly to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when the production volume increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level at $X in 2018, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of salt production in 2019 were China (X tonnes), the U.S. (X tonnes) and Germany (X tonnes), with a combined X% share of global production. India, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Tunisia, Egypt, Poland and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Tunisia, while salt production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Exports

Exports

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -X% to X tonnes in 2019. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, exports reached the peak of X tonnes, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, salt exports fell to $X in 2019. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global exports hit record highs at $X in 2018, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2019, India (X tonnes), distantly followed by Chile (X tonnes), Germany (X tonnes), Canada (X tonnes), the Netherlands (X tonnes) and Egypt (X tonnes) represented the largest exporters of salt and pure sodium chloride, together generating X% of total exports. The following exporters - Belarus (X tonnes), China (X tonnes), Tunisia (X tonnes), Mexico (X tonnes), Spain (X tonnes) and the U.S. (X tonnes) - together made up X% of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in India, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest salt supplying countries worldwide were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and India ($X), with a combined X% share of global exports.

India recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average salt export price stood at $X per tonne in 2019, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. Global export price peaked at $X per tonne in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

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

Salt Imports

Imports

In 2019, global imports of salt and pure sodium chloride totaled X tonnes, picking up by X% on 2018. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. Global imports peaked in 2019 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, salt imports totaled $X in 2019. In general, total imports indicated temperate growth 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, imports increased by +X% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Global imports peaked in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2019, the U.S. (X tonnes), distantly followed by China (X tonnes), Japan (X tonnes) and South Korea (X tonnes) represented the main importers of salt and pure sodium chloride, together mixing up X% of total imports. Indonesia (X tonnes), Canada (X tonnes), Germany (X tonnes), Russia (X tonnes), Belgium (X tonnes), Norway (X tonnes) and Taiwan, Chinese (X tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in China, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the U.S. ($X), China ($X) and Germany ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2019, with a combined X% share of global imports.

Among the main importing countries, China saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average salt import price stood at $X per tonne in 2019, rising by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per tonne in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

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

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

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

+

The countries with the highest volumes of salt consumption in 2019 were China (77M tonnes), the U.S. (60M tonnes) and Germany (13M tonnes), together accounting for 61% of global consumption. Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Poland, South Korea and Tunisia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 18%.

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

+

The countries with the highest volumes of salt production in 2019 were China (68M tonnes), the U.S. (42M tonnes) and Germany (15M tonnes), together accounting for 53% of global production. These countries were followed by India, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Tunisia, Egypt, Poland and Spain, which together accounted for a further 31%.

What are the leading exporters of salt and pure sodium chloride in the world?

+

In value terms, the largest salt supplying countries worldwide were the Netherlands ($287M), Germany ($265M) and India ($237M), with a combined 26% share of global exports.

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

+

In value terms, the largest salt importing markets worldwide were the U.S. ($754M), China ($419M) and Germany ($190M), together comprising 35% of global imports.

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

+

The average salt export price stood at $50 per tonne in 2019, approximately reflecting the previous year.

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

+

In 2019, the average salt import price amounted to $54 per tonne, rising by 2.7% against the previous year.