Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Algeria's salt production declined from 106.2 thousand tons to 95.1 thousand tons, with the overall market size contracting to 100.6 thousand tons in 2020. The period began with the commissioning of the El Outaya rock salt refinery in 2018, adding 80 000 t/year of modern domestic capacity under the state-owned ENASEL. The Ministry of Trade also set mandatory technical specifications for food-grade salt in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to an 11 000 t reduction in ENASEL's sales due to disrupted demand and unfair competition from non-compliant products, contributing to the market contraction.

Production rebounded sharply to 107.8 thousand tons in 2021, driving the market size to a peak of 113.9 thousand tons. This recovery was facilitated by ENASEL's inauguration of a new specialized refinery in January 2021, designed for pharmaceutical salt and water treatment tablets, which marked the company's entry into a high-value segment. In 2022, output moderated to 103.2 thousand tons, even as ENASEL officially launched its pharmaceutical salt line targeting 6 000–8 000 t/year for local and export markets. The same year, the government announced plans to utilize sea salt from desalination plants as a new industrial raw material, signaling a shift in supply sources.

From 2023, the strategic focus expanded on harnessing sea salt from the country's growing desalination infrastructure, with the public group Sonarem designated to operate this new supply channel. By 2024, the regulatory framework for iodized salt was updated to strengthen iodine content controls and penalties for non-compliance, addressing prior shortages in urban retail. These developments point to an evolving market structure with enhanced domestic capabilities and stricter quality enforcement.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

World map of production of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

Algeria's production of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 95.1 K t, marking a moderate decrease of 5.7% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 11.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Algeria

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume occurred in 2017, while the highest was in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.7 times. In 2020, Algeria exported 3 586 t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, showing a moderate year-on-year increase of 6.4%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 880 t. The largest decline happened in 2019, dropping by 13.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 170.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Niger remained the primary destination for Algeria's salt, pure NaCl, and sea water exports, accounting for 86.8% of total export volume. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. The lowest export value was in 2017, rising to a peak in 2020, with a fluctuation of 14.5 times between these extremes. In 2020, Algeria's exported salt, pure NaCl, and sea water amounted to 412 K $ US, indicating a dramatic gain of 50.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 16.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, jumping by 1 057.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Algeria's salt, pure NaCl, and sea water exports were primarily shipped to Niger, which absorbed 92.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Algeria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Algeria's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water stood at 9 079 t, reflecting a strong loss of 17.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 347 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 10 934 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 26.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 48.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Spain were the key sources for Algeria's imports in volume, jointly accounting for 84.2% of total flows. Other partners contributed much less individually.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year contraction, Algeria's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water increased. In 2020, the import volume was recorded at 1 610 K $ US, up by 5.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.3%, with an average annual decline of 5.0%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 1 531 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred that same year, falling by 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Algeria were Turkey (31.0% of import value), Spain (30.3%), and France (21.1%). Together, these three countries formed 82.3% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020