Belgium: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian salt market declined modestly to $X in 2022, which is down by -1.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, the total consumption indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +47.2% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Salt Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2022, shipments abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -58.5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a perceptible slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 102% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports dropped rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 216% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), the UK (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main destinations of salt exports from Belgium, together accounting for 49% of total exports. Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, the United States, Australia, Austria, the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Canada and Switzerland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Hungary (with a CAGR of +36.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for salt exported from Belgium were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and the UK ($X), together comprising 37% of total exports. Germany, the United States, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, Hungary, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Among the main countries of destination, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +38.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

The average salt export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the export price posted a notable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 56%. The export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Hungary ($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 France (+8.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, the amount of salt and pure sodium chloride imported into Belgium reached X tons, surging by 4.6% compared with 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% 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 2013 with an increase of 42%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, salt imports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

Imports by Country

Australia (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of salt imports to Belgium, together comprising 92% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Australia (with a CAGR of +19.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest salt suppliers to Belgium were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and the UK ($X), with a combined 77% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, the UK, with a CAGR of +17.2%, 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 2022, the average salt import price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -23.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 73% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat 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 Chile ($X per ton), while the price for Australia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+30.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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