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

Earlier Report Observations

The salt market in Bangladesh reached 3.9 million tons in 2018 but contracted sharply to 2.1 million tons the following year. This decline was driven by a government increase in import duty on industrial salt to 25% and the prohibition of unregistered salt sales under new iodization legislation, which cut imports by over 75%. The market stabilized around 2 million tons in 2020 and 2021 as domestic output gradually rose, supported by the expansion of salt cultivation areas like the new 35,000-acre zone in Banshkhali.

Market volume recovered to 2.4 million tons by 2022, fueled by record domestic production exceeding 1.8 million tons. This growth was primarily due to rising demand from the energy sector and leather preservation industry, alongside the continued incentive of high import tariffs favoring local supply. Although the Ukraine-Russia conflict and currency fluctuations exerted upward pressure on prices, they did not prevent the expansion in overall market size.

In more recent years, policy and investment have focused on securing supply and modernizing production. The government authorized the import of 100,000 tons of industrial salt to ensure availability, while new vacuum-evaporation plants, such as one launched by the Pungua group, enhanced refined salt output. Additionally, the state-owned BSCIC introduced a loan scheme for salt farmers and piloted 'smart mill' technology with automated quality monitoring to support the industry's development.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Bangladesh ranked 25th globally in salt, pure NaCl, and seawater production 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

Salt, pure NaCl, and seawater production in Bangladesh increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 1 583 K t, marking a slight year-over-year rise of 1.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, K t

Bangladesh's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 0.2 K t, showing a robust year-over-year rise of 16.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 78.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 54.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore, Austria, and Malaysia were the main markets for Bangladesh's exports in kind. Singapore accounted for 41.2% of exports, Austria for 8.4%, and Malaysia for 6.9%, together representing 56.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bangladesh's foreign supplies of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value totaled 90 K US dollars, reflecting a gain of 64.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 231.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 49.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysia accounted for the largest share of Bangladesh's exports in value terms. Singapore represented 36.9% of exports, Brunei Darussalam 9.2%, and Malaysia 7.2%, together comprising 53.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bangladesh's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater were recorded at 442 K t, down by 17.5% year-over-year. The maximum import volume was in 2018 at 2 358 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 77.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 40.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater were largely oriented towards India, which accounted for 95.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Bangladesh's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 11 927 K US dollars, reflecting a modest year-over-year fall of 9.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 55.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 23.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, India dominated Bangladesh's import structure in value terms, accounting for 72.9% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively small shares.

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

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