Europe: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in Europe

After two years of growth, the Europe salt market decreased by -1.8% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Salt Production in Europe

In value terms, salt production shrank dramatically to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 27%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

Salt Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, the amount of salt and pure sodium chloride exported in Europe contracted rapidly to X tons, falling by -15.5% against the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% 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 44%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports reduced to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 30%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) represented roughly 57% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Belarus (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Romania (X tons), together mixing up a 25% share of total exports. The following exporters - Denmark (X tons) and the UK (X tons) - each resulted at a 5.7% 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 Germany (with a CAGR of +5.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest salt supplying countries in Europe were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Spain ($X), together accounting for 57% of total exports. The UK, Belarus, Denmark and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +13.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 28%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 the UK ($X per ton), while Belarus ($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 Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of salt and pure sodium chloride increased by 4.4% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 28%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt imports surged to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% 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 +38.2% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Russia (X tons), the UK (X tons), Norway (X tons), Denmark (X tons), Italy (X tons), Poland (X tons), France (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) was the key importer of salt and pure sodium chloride in Europe, creating 71% of total import. The Netherlands (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +12.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest salt importing markets in Europe were Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and France ($X), together comprising 29% of total imports. The UK, Norway, Russia, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +10.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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 Europe amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 16% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Russia ($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