MERCOSUR: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the MERCOSUR salt market decreased by -9.4% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Salt Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, salt production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 24%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Salt Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, overseas shipments of salt and pure sodium chloride increased by 36% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% 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 +45.7% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 52%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% 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 +46.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 45% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Chile was the largest exporter of salt and pure sodium chloride in MERCOSUR, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 79% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), creating a 21% share of total exports.

Exports from Chile increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Brazil (+46.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +46.6% from 2012-2022. While the share of Brazil (+20 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Chile (-18.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Chile ($X) remains the largest salt supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 75% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 20% share of total exports.

In Chile, salt exports expanded at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 16%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Chile stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+1.6%).

Salt Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, salt imports in MERCOSUR skyrocketed to X tons, increasing by 23% compared with 2021 figures. Total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% 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 +101.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, salt imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted strong growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Brazil dominates imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 79% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Colombia (X tons), committing a 6.2% share of total imports. Argentina (X tons), Peru (X tons), Uruguay (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to salt imports into Brazil stood at +6.2%. At the same time, Peru (+7.5%), Argentina (+4.9%), Colombia (+4.8%) and Paraguay (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +7.5% from 2012-2022. Uruguay experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Brazil increased by +4.6 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported salt and pure sodium chloride in MERCOSUR, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Colombia ($X), with a 6% share of total imports. It was followed by Peru, with a 4.8% share.

In Brazil, salt imports increased at an average annual rate of +14.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Colombia (+1.4% per year) and Peru (+8.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2.9% against the previous year. Import price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% 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 +16.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 46%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+7.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform