Central Asia: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in Central Asia

The Central Asian salt market rose modestly to $X in 2022, surging by 3% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -19.9% against 2018 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Salt Production in Central Asia

In value terms, salt production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% 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 -26.6% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Salt Exports

Exports in Central Asia

In 2022, the amount of salt and pure sodium chloride exported in Central Asia skyrocketed to X tons, rising by 117% against 2021 figures. In general, exports recorded a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 147%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, salt exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a significant expansion. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Uzbekistan was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which resulted at 63% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Kazakhstan (X tons), making up a 32% share of total exports. The following exporters - Turkmenistan (X tons) and Kyrgyzstan (X tons) - each recorded a 3.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Kazakhstan (with a CAGR of +26.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) remains the largest salt supplier in Central Asia, comprising 98% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Uzbekistan ($X), with a 1.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Kyrgyzstan, with a 0.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Kazakhstan stood at +29.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Uzbekistan (+20.4% per year) and Kyrgyzstan (+11.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Central Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 4.9% against the previous year. Export price indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, salt export price decreased by -8.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 86% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kazakhstan ($X per ton), while Uzbekistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kyrgyzstan (+6.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Imports

Imports in Central Asia

Salt imports was estimated at X tons in 2022, growing by 4.4% against the previous year. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 149%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt imports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports posted a perceptible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 67% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Kazakhstan represented the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which resulted at 54% of total imports. Kyrgyzstan (X tons) held a 23% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Mongolia (19%). Uzbekistan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Kazakhstan increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Uzbekistan (+18.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uzbekistan emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Central Asia, with a CAGR of +18.2% from 2012-2022. Mongolia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Kyrgyzstan (-7.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Kazakhstan (+22 p.p.), Uzbekistan (+2 p.p.) and Mongolia (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Kyrgyzstan (-25.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported salt and pure sodium chloride in Central Asia, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mongolia ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Kyrgyzstan, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Kazakhstan stood at +5.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mongolia (+5.0% per year) and Kyrgyzstan (-4.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Central Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 6.6% against the previous year. Import price indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, salt import price increased by +75.1% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 64%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Uzbekistan ($X per ton), while Kyrgyzstan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (+8.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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