Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN salt market volume declined from 12.6 million tonnes in 2018 to 8.4 million tonnes in 2020. Adverse weather conditions during this period, particularly in key producing regions like Cambodia, reduced local salt harvests, contributing to the overall contraction.

Market volume stabilized near 8.5 million tonnes in 2021 before rising sharply to 11.2 million tonnes in 2022. This recovery was primarily driven by a significant increase in imports, supported by improved cross-border trade infrastructure and the influence of regional trade agreements facilitating greater market access.

In the following years, import volumes remained elevated, peaking at 8.0 million tonnes in 2023. However, severe rainfall in 2024 severely disrupted salt production in Cambodia's Kampot-Kep region, a notable supplier of high-quality salt. Concurrently, industry efforts focused on enhancing product quality, packaging, and compliance to boost export potential for geographically indicated products.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in ASEAN

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

ASEAN's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 4,368 thousand tons, marking a sharp year-over-year drop of 27.9%. Production peaked in 2018 at 6,386 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 44.1%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 18 thousand tons, then surged to a high of 225 thousand tons in 2020—a 12.7-fold increase. This 2020 figure represented a dramatic rise of 1,171.5% compared to the previous year, with the largest decline recorded in 2019 at 84.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, ASEAN exported salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, and Asia (not elsewhere specified)—combined accounted for only 14.2% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values displayed an unstable trend over this period. They hit a low in 2019 at $22.2 million US, then peaked in 2020 at $42.0 million US, with a 1.9-fold gap between these years. The 2020 value showed an intense rise of 88.8% from the previous year, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 42.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, ASEAN's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The top markets—Asia (not elsewhere specified) at 7.4%, Papua New Guinea at 6.7%, and Australia at 6.4%—together made up just 20.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

ASEAN's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 4,277 thousand tons, down 20.3% from the year before. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 5.3%, averaging 1.7% annually. The highest volume was in 2018 at 6,339 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 56.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia dominated ASEAN's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume, accounting for 74.2% of the total. The remainder was distributed among a wide range of smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, ASEAN's import value for salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined. In 2020, imports were approximately $231.7 million US, a slight drop of 1.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 span, import value increased by 15.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The peak was in 2019 at $235.1 million US, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 15.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, Australia, India, and China were the main destinations for ASEAN's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms. Australia led with 53.3%, followed by India at 16.0%, and China at 9.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.1% of total import value.

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

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