Africa: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in Africa

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in the African salt market, when its value increased by 11% to $X. The total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Salt Production in Africa

In value terms, salt production expanded modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -22.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Salt Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -12% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, exports, however, recorded a moderate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 51%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports contracted sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Egypt (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) dominates exports structure, together creating 73% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Morocco (X tons) and Botswana (X tons), together comprising a 14% share of total exports. Namibia (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Morocco (with a CAGR of +13.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest salt supplying countries in Africa were Egypt ($X), Tunisia ($X) and Botswana ($X), together comprising 48% of total exports. Kenya, Namibia and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

Among the main exporting countries, Morocco, with a CAGR of +11.7%, 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 mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -29% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya (-0.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Salt Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -0.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 25%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt imports rose significantly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of salt and pure sodium chloride, namely South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Cote d'Ivoire, Zambia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Niger, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Rwanda (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Tanzania (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported salt and pure sodium chloride in Africa, comprising 29% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Uganda ($X), with a 9.7% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Nigeria amounted to +6.5%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Uganda (+2.1% per year) and South Africa (+1.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Cameroon ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zimbabwe (+7.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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