Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, China's salt production steadily declined, leading to a contraction in market volume from 71.6 million tons in 2018 to 60.7 million tons in 2021. This reduction was primarily driven by the Salt Industry System Reform initiated in 2017, which restricted new salt production licenses and pushed for industry consolidation. The state-owned China Salt Group strengthened its position, supplying about 30% of the edible salt market, while the overall number of producers decreased.

The market volume stabilized at 61.8 million tons in 2022, despite continued domestic production decline, due to a sharp rise in salt imports, which grew over 80% from the previous year. This import surge coincided with further market liberalization allowing salt producers and wholesalers to operate across regions, intensifying competition. Simultaneously, the industry adopted stricter production standards requiring high mechanization and developed new ventures like salt cavern compressed air energy storage projects.

Through 2024, the market continued evolving towards diversification and higher quality. New packaging and labeling rules were introduced, low-sodium salt was promoted for health, and regulatory compliance oversight tightened. Imports remained elevated, reflecting market openness, while producers invested in smart manufacturing to enhance efficiency.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China maintained its position as the world's leading producer of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from 2017 through 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

China's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 58 527 K t, which was 6.7% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12%, translating to an annualized decrease of 4.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, China's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater rebounded in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 015 M $ US, showing a strong increase of 20.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 15.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 161 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred that same year at 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 153 K t, marking a significant drop of 11.9% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.9%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 1 578 K t, with the largest decline in 2019 at 17.1% and the largest increase in 2018 at 17.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam were the primary destinations for China's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms. Japan accounted for 27.9% of exports, South Korea for 27.9%, and Vietnam for 10.7%, together making up 66.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

China's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms rose to 98.8 M $ US in 2020, up by 13.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 13.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 86.8 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 106.0 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 21.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam were the key markets for China's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms. Japan represented 22.5% of export value, South Korea 21.5%, and Vietnam 9.2%, collectively accounting for 53.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 5 949 K t, reflecting a decline of 23.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 36.1%, with an annualized decrease of 13.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 510 K t, and the largest increase occurred that same year at 2.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the dominant supplier of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to China in volume terms, holding 70.1% of total imports, while other partners had smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

China's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 255.5 M $ US, down by 14.4% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 19.1%, with a CAGR of -6.8%. The peak value was in 2018 at 360.1 M $ US, with the largest decline in 2019 at 17.1% and the largest increase in 2018 at 14.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Australia, and the United States were the main sources for China's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms. India accounted for 51.2% of import value, Australia for 23.2%, and the United States for 13.4%, together representing 87.9% of total import flows.

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

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