France: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in France

The French salt market fell modestly to $X in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a slight decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 4.9% against the previous year. Salt consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Salt Production in France

In value terms, salt production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a slight descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 14%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Salt Exports

Exports from France

In 2022, salt exports from France reduced to X tons, declining by -10.7% on 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 41%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 19%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for salt exports from France, accounting for a 30% share of total exports. Moreover, salt exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Italy (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Belgium (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany stood at +2.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Italy (+1.9% per year) and Belgium (+2.1% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for salt exported from France were Germany ($X), the United States ($X) and Belgium ($X), together accounting for 34% of total exports. Austria, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, the UK, Luxembourg, Morocco, Poland and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

Austria, with a CAGR of +10.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average salt export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 2.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 20%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($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 Luxembourg (+9.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Imports

Imports into France

In 2022, the amount of salt and pure sodium chloride imported into France shrank modestly to X tons, falling by -4.3% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 64%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt imports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% 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 +43.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Spain (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of salt imports to France, together comprising 60% of total imports. Tunisia, Belgium, Morocco, Libya, Italy and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Tunisia (with a CAGR of +15.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Spain ($X) were the largest salt suppliers to France, together accounting for 58% of total imports. Belgium, Italy, Tunisia, the UK, Morocco and Libya lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +11.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers 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, with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 32%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 the UK ($X per ton), while the price for Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+16.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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