MENA: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in MENA

In 2022, the MENA's salt market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Salt Production in MENA

In value terms, salt production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Salt Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, the amount of salt and pure sodium chloride exported in MENA shrank to X tons, falling by -7.4% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, salt exports shrank rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a temperate increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Egypt (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) represented the largest exporters of salt and pure sodium chloride in MENA, together resulting at near 70% of total exports. Turkey (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 13% share, followed by Morocco (7.9%). Saudi Arabia (X tons), Israel (X tons) and Iran (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +26.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) emerged as the largest salt supplier in MENA, comprising 33% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey amounted to +21.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Egypt (-5.2% per year) and Tunisia (+1.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -16.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a perceptible shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iran (+5.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Salt Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, purchases abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, salt imports contracted to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% 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 2018 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Qatar represented the key importer of salt and pure sodium chloride in MENA, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 54% of total imports in 2022. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) held a 20% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Oman (8.8%). Kuwait (X tons), Lebanon (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Israel (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to salt imports into Qatar stood at +8.3%. At the same time, Israel (+22.2%), the United Arab Emirates (+19.5%), Syrian Arab Republic (+14.3%), Oman (+12.7%), Kuwait (+10.1%) and Lebanon (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Israel emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +22.2% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Israel increased by +14, +7.6, +3.7 and +1.5 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest salt importing markets in MENA were Qatar ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Oman ($X), together accounting for 57% of total imports. Kuwait, Israel, Lebanon and Syrian Arab Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Israel, with a CAGR of +20.7%, 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 MENA amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a pronounced descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (-0.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform