SADC: Salt Market 2024

Salt Market Size in SADC

The SADC salt market reached $X in 2022, growing by 4.8% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by +0.9% against 2019 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Salt Production in SADC

In value terms, salt production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 20%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Salt Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of salt and pure sodium chloride were exported in SADC; with a decrease of -17.5% on 2021 figures. Overall, exports showed a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 8.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, salt exports shrank markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 13%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Botswana (X tons) was the key exporter of salt and pure sodium chloride, achieving 50% of total exports. Namibia (X tons) held a 26% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Tanzania (11%) and South Africa (7.6%). Zimbabwe (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Zimbabwe (with a CAGR of +35.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest salt supplying countries in SADC were Botswana ($X), South Africa ($X) and Namibia ($X), together comprising 77% of total exports. Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Mozambique lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

Zimbabwe, with a CAGR of +23.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -16.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell significantly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Salt Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, supplies from abroad of salt and pure sodium chloride decreased by -2.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, salt imports rose markedly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons), distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) were the major importers of salt and pure sodium chloride, together comprising 89% of total imports. Angola (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Tanzania (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest salt importing markets in SADC were South Africa ($X), Malawi ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X), together accounting for 52% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Zimbabwe, with a CAGR of +8.9%, 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

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 8.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zimbabwe (+7.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform