Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Americas, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The salt market volume in the Americas expanded from 79 311 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 87 229 thousand tonnes in 2020. It then contracted sharply to 76 850 thousand tonnes in 2021 and experienced a modest further decline to 75 182 thousand tonnes in 2022.

Market dynamics in the following years were influenced by operational and structural factors. In 2023, road de-icing remained a major consumption driver in North America, while elevated energy costs raised production and logistics expenses. The year 2024 saw significant industry movements with capacity expansion projects by producers like Jacobsen Salt Co. and American Rock Salt, coupled with Cargill's entry into the North American market through its acquisition of Morton Salt, intensifying competitive landscape and investment in supply capabilities.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Americas

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

Salt, pure NaCl, and sea water production in the Americas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 86 932 K t, up 6.3% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.8%, averaging an annualized rate of 2.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 80 225 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 0.5%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import levels varied significantly, with a 2.5-fold difference between the peak in 2018 at 2 414 K t and the low in 2019 at 957 K t. In 2020, cross-border shipments of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from the Americas stood at 2 119 K t, marking a substantial year-over-year increase of 121.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 60.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria and Cameroon together accounted for 2.6% of total exports in kind, positioning them as the main markets for salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from the Americas.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, salt, pure NaCl, and sea water deliveries from the Americas declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 459.8 M $ US, representing a 1.7% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 28.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 467.8 M $ US, while the largest increase of 28.5% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria dominated the list of buyers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from the Americas, accounting for 1.5% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

Salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports into the Americas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 416 K t, showing a 21.3% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 35%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.5%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018 at 1 500 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, surging by 32.8%.

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

The partner structure of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with Morocco (5.9% of imports in kind), Egypt (4.9%), and Tunisia (1.6%) together accounting for only 12.4% of total flows, and no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year gain, salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports into the Americas declined. In 2020, imports reached 309.7 M $ US, indicating a 13.5% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.2%, averaging an annualized rate of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 357.9 M $ US, while the largest increase of 13.1% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to the Americas were widely dispersed across partner countries: Morocco (3.5% of imports in value terms), Pakistan (3.2%), and Egypt (2.7%) together represented only 9.4% of total flows.

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

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