Eastern Europe: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European salt market declined modestly to $X in 2022, which is down by -3.1% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Salt Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, salt production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 13%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Salt Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, the amount of salt and pure sodium chloride exported in Eastern Europe dropped sharply to X tons, with a decrease of -20.8% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, exports saw a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 78%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, salt exports stood at $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 43%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Belarus was the key exporting country with an export of around X tons, which recorded 54% of total exports. Romania (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Poland (X tons). All these countries together took near 34% share of total exports. Ukraine (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to salt exports from Belarus stood at +3.0%. At the same time, Lithuania (+20.9%), Russia (+5.2%) and Romania (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Lithuania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +20.9% from 2012-2022. Poland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Ukraine (-25.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Belarus (+23 p.p.), Romania (+8.9 p.p.), Poland (+2.3 p.p.) and Russia (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Ukraine (-39.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Belarus ($X), Romania ($X) and Poland ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 77% of total exports.

Romania, with a CAGR of +13.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+10.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, supplies from abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride increased by 2% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Total imports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 +42.8% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 43%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt imports surged to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% 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 +77.0% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Russia (X tons), distantly followed by Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Ukraine (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Latvia (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) represented the largest importers of salt and pure sodium chloride, together creating 89% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Ukraine (with a CAGR of +28.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ukraine ($X), Russia ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 46% of total imports.

Ukraine, with a CAGR of +37.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 33% against the previous year. Import price indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its price 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. Based on 2022 figures, salt import price increased by +65.3% against 2018 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ukraine (+7.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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