Bahrain: Salt Market 2025

Salt Market Size in Bahrain

In 2022, the Bahraini salt market decreased by -26.5% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

Salt Exports

Exports from Bahrain

For the third consecutive year, Bahrain recorded growth in overseas shipments of salt and pure sodium chloride, which increased by 230% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports enjoyed a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 9,892%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 9,029%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons) was the main destination for salt exports from Bahrain, accounting for a 77% share of total exports. Moreover, salt exports to Saudi Arabia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Saudi Arabia stood at +14.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+24.3% per year) and Pakistan (+7,948.8% per year).

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) remains the key foreign market for salt and pure sodium chloride exports from Bahrain, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with an 18% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Saudi Arabia amounted to +20.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+27.0% per year) and Pakistan (+5,343.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average salt export price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -44.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average export price increased by 246% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Pakistan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Saudi Arabia (+5.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Salt Imports

Imports into Bahrain

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride, when their volume decreased by -30% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 48%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, salt imports shrank dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +76.1% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 36% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Saudi Arabia (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of salt to Bahrain, with a 75% share of total imports. Moreover, salt imports from Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), fivefold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Saudi Arabia stood at -1.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+2.6% per year) and the Netherlands (+10.0% per year).

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of salt and pure sodium chloride to Bahrain, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 19% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Saudi Arabia was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+5.0% per year) and the Netherlands (+8.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average salt import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 20% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+4.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform