Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The salt market in Central America began the period at 9 708 thousand tons in 2018, supported by demand for de-icing salt due to supply disruptions from mines in the United States and Canada. Market volume dipped to 9 191 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 9 647 thousand tons in 2020, a year when the region's major producer, Exportadora de Sal, outlined plans to expand its industrial capacity by 12% by 2024.

A sharp contraction to 5 784 thousand tons occurred in 2021, driven primarily by a surge in exports from the region which reached 1 753 thousand tons. The market partially rebounded to 7 770 thousand tons in 2022 amidst continued industrial demand and climatic factors influencing salt consumption for de-icing and other uses.

Subsequent developments included the 2024 nationalization of Exportadora de Sal by the Mexican government, strengthening state control over a key producer, and regional progress in implementing the Central American Technical Regulation RTCA 67.01.60:23 for nutritional labeling, aimed at harmonizing consumer information standards.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Central America

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

After two years of decline, salt, pure NaCl, and seawater production in Central America increased. In 2020, production reached 9 360 K t, marking a slight 2.6% rise from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall production fell by 4.9%, averaging an annual decrease of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9 123 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 5.6%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from Central America declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 53.9 K t, showing a significant drop of 15.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 79.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -41.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (1.2% of exports in kind), the United Kingdom (0.8% of exports in kind), and the United States (0.6% of exports in kind) together accounted for 2.6% of total exports in kind of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from Central America, making them the primary destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, shipments of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from Central America to abroad declined. In 2020, exports totaled 45 936 K $ US, which is 21.5% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 13.7%, with a CAGR of 4.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 58 540 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 27.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (57.3% of exports in value terms), Canada (17.0% of exports in value terms), and South Korea (3.5% of exports in value terms) consistently held leading positions in the country structure of exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 77.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The volume of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater imports into Central America varied significantly, with a 2.9-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018. In 2020, imports amounted to 341.3 K t, reflecting a sharp increase of 158.0% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 116.3 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 42.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Central America were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Chile (33.2% of imports in kind), Colombia (4.2% of imports in kind), and the United States (2.8% of imports in kind) together accounted for only 40.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, imported volumes of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater into Central America amounted to 41 842 K $ US, representing a moderate drop of 5.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22.9%, averaging an annual decline of 8.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 19.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 1.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (32.5% of imports in value terms), Colombia (9.5% of imports in value terms), and Chile (7.0% of imports in value terms) formed the largest group of suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Central America. However, their combined contribution was limited to 48.9% of total imports in value terms, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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