Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

Austrian salt production increased from 1 113 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 179 thousand tonnes in 2020, before contracting to 1 066 thousand tonnes in 2021 and recovering to 1 119 thousand tonnes in 2022. The total market volume followed a similar pattern, rising from 1 381 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 1 403 thousand tonnes in 2019, then declining to 1 346 thousand tonnes in 2020 and gradually recovering to 1 383 thousand tonnes by 2022.

Import volumes fluctuated significantly over the period, reaching a high of 325 thousand tonnes in 2021 before falling steadily to 194 thousand tonnes in 2024. Exports, on the other hand, grew from just 7 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 104 thousand tonnes in 2024, with a notable jump from 74 thousand tonnes in 2023.

By 2024, geopolitical events and energy market adjustments, including OPEC+ and Russia's oil production cuts, contributed to higher energy costs in Austria, affecting production expenses for salt. Simultaneously, inflation dropped to 2.9%, supported by lower energy and stabilized food prices, which helped stabilize consumer demand. These conditions coincided with a continued decline in imports and a rise in exports.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Austria ranked as the 30th largest producer of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water during the period from 2017 to 2020.

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

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

Austria's production of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 179 K t, which is 3.8% higher than in 2019. However, over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 30.7%, averaging an annual decline of 11.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 113 K t, with the largest year-on-year drop of 34.6% also occurring in that year.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Austria

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 6.7 K t, with the largest decline of 98.9% recorded that year. In contrast, the highest export volume was in 2017, creating an 88-fold gap between these two years. By 2020, Austria exported 50.6 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, marking a sharp increase of 67.8% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 349.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of exports in kind was characterized by the dominance of Special Categories, which accounted for 76.8% of total flows, alongside a large number of minor trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values hit their lowest in 2018 at 562 K $ US, with the largest decline of 99.2% recorded that year. In comparison, the peak was in 2017, resulting in a 122-fold variation between these years. By 2020, salt, pure NaCl, and sea water shipments from Austria totaled 6 076 K $ US, showing a sharp year-on-year gain of 80.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 497.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Special Categories consistently represented 80.8% of total exports in value terms, indicating a high concentration in this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Austria

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year uptick, the volume of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports into Austria declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 217.7 K t, representing a year-over-year decrease of 26.8%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 14.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 297.6 K t, with the largest increase of 44.0% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Germany, the Netherlands, and France—together accounted for 79.3% of total imports in kind of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Austria.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Austria's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water registered 32 524 K $ US, representing a robust decline of 13.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 24%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 37 757 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 43.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (48.8% of imports in value terms), Spain (7.8%), and the Netherlands (7.3%) were the primary suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Austria, jointly accounting for 63.9% of total imports in value terms.

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

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