EU: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in the EU

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in the EU salt market, when its value decreased by -0.7% to $X. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 8.4%. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Salt Production in the EU

In value terms, salt production dropped sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 26% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Salt Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, the amount of salt and pure sodium chloride exported in the European Union dropped to X tons, shrinking by -11.6% on the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% 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 53%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, salt exports declined to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated notable growth 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, exports increased by +56.0% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 30%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main exporters of salt and pure sodium chloride in the European Union, together constituting 70% of total exports. Spain (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 7.7% share, followed by Romania (7%). Denmark (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Italy (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +5.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Spain ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 67% of total exports. Denmark, Romania, Poland and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

Among the main exporting countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +13.0%, saw 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 export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 7.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while Romania ($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 the EU

In 2022, supplies from abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride increased by 1.6% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 31%. 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 rose remarkably to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated noticeable growth 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, imports increased by +35.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the largest importers of salt and pure sodium chloride in the European Union, together creating 29% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Denmark (X tons), Italy (X tons), Poland (X tons), France (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Hungary (X tons), together generating a 36% share of total imports. The following importers - Sweden (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Finland (X tons), Portugal (X tons) and Austria (X tons) - together made up 17% 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 Poland (with a CAGR of +12.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest salt importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and France ($X), together accounting for 38% of total imports. Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Austria, Finland and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

Among the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +10.6%, 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 import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 9.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 20% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+6.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :