Germany: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in Germany

The German salt market fell modestly to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -4.1% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a perceptible contraction. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Salt Production in Germany

In value terms, salt production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a slight decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Salt Exports

Exports from Germany

In 2022, the amount of salt and pure sodium chloride exported from Germany contracted to X tons, dropping by -10% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% 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 +19.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% 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 +26.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 34% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

Belgium (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main destinations of salt exports from Germany, with a combined 48% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +13.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for salt exported from Germany were the Czech Republic ($X), Poland ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together comprising 31% of total exports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +12.2%, 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, with an increase of 4.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the average export price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($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 France (+3.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Imports

Imports into Germany

In 2022, purchases abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -26.8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports showed a slight decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 18%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, salt imports amounted to $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% 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 +18.9% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of salt to Germany, with a 87% share of total imports. Moreover, salt imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Austria (X tons), more than tenfold. France (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 1.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Netherlands amounted to -1.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Austria (+13.5% per year) and France (-0.6% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of salt and pure sodium chloride to Germany, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Austria ($X), with a 5.2% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands amounted to +4.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Austria (+13.5% per year) and France (+0.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average salt import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 55% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% 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 +127.5% against 2015 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 origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($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 (+11.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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