Kenya: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in Kenya

In 2022, the Kenyan salt market decreased by -26.9% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Overall, consumption, however, enjoyed slight growth. Salt consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined sharply in the following year.

Salt Production in Kenya

In value terms, salt production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 67%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Salt Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2022, the amount of salt and pure sodium chloride exported from Kenya soared to X tons, jumping by 90% against the previous year. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt descent. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, salt exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a deep setback. The exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Uganda (X tons) was the main destination for salt exports from Kenya, accounting for a 69% share of total exports. Moreover, salt exports to Uganda exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Rwanda (X tons), fivefold. Tanzania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Uganda stood at -8.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Rwanda (-6.6% per year) and Tanzania (-10.4% per year).

In value terms, Uganda ($X) remains the key foreign market for salt and pure sodium chloride exports from Kenya, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Rwanda ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Tanzania, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Uganda amounted to -7.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Rwanda (-9.1% per year) and Tanzania (-12.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average salt export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -22.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 35%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Rwanda ($X per ton) and Uganda ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton) and Tanzania ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Uganda (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Salt Imports

Imports into Kenya

In 2022, overseas purchases of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -28% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Over the period under review, imports saw a mild decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 425% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, salt imports shrank rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a slight increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 250% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Australia (X tons) was the main supplier of salt to Kenya, accounting for a 93% share of total imports. Moreover, salt imports from Australia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Australia totaled -3.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+58.0% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-54.3% per year).

In value terms, Australia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of salt and pure sodium chloride to Kenya, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 19% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Australia totaled -2.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+49.0% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-37.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average salt import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 3.2% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% 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 +90.0% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 84% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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 United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the price for Australia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+35.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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