Middle East: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern salt market decreased by -0.6% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, consumption, however, 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 remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Salt Production in the Middle East

In value terms, salt production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 4.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Salt Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, overseas shipments of salt and pure sodium chloride increased by 12% to X tons, rising for the third 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 +7.9% 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 +17.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 32%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

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 +6.7% 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 +39.3% against 2014 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the major exporter of salt and pure sodium chloride in the Middle East, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 60% of total exports in 2022. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 19% share, followed by Israel (8.5%) and Iran (8%). The United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Jordan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the salt and pure sodium chloride exports, with a CAGR of +26.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+2.4%) and Saudi Arabia (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Iran experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Israel (-1.1%) and Jordan (-11.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+47 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Jordan, Israel and Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -2.3%, -9.5%, -9.9%, -11.8% and -13.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest salt supplier in the Middle East, comprising 54% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Israel ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey amounted to +21.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Israel (+0.5% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-3.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 3.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 10% 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 somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+13.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Salt Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, supplies from abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride increased by 33% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% 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 declined modestly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 16%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Qatar represented the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which accounted for 55% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 21% share, followed by Oman (9%). Kuwait (X tons), Lebanon (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Israel (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

Imports into Qatar increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% from 2012 to 2022. 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 the Middle East, with a CAGR of +22.2% from 2012-2022. The United Arab Emirates (+14 p.p.), Qatar (+6.8 p.p.), Oman (+3.7 p.p.) and Israel (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Qatar ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Oman ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 65% of total imports. Kuwait, Israel, Lebanon and Syrian Arab Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Israel, with a CAGR of +20.7%, saw 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 the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -25.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the import price increased by 22% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, 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

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