Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The salt market in CIS expanded from 10.6 million tonnes in 2018 to 11.5 million tonnes in 2019, supported by steady growth in food salt production in Russia, where state-owned companies played an active role.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted logistics and demand, pulling the market volume down to 9.2 million tonnes in 2020. A recovery followed in 2021, with volume reaching 12.8 million tonnes as new players entered the market and consumer interest in specialized salt varieties grew.

Sanctions and business-process reorientation in 2022 led to a modest contraction to 12.4 million tonnes, even as major Russian producers ramped up activity. Subsequent years saw further industry adjustments, including a 10% drop in Russian salt production in 2023, sharp producer price increases, and tighter labeling and packaging requirements.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in CIS

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

Salt, pure NaCl, and seawater production in the CIS declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 12,134 K t, but then fell sharply by 27.3% to 8,824 K t in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 17.1%, with an average annual decline of 6.0%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, at 11.9%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the CIS exported 371 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, which was 60.6% lower than the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 9.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated salt, pure NaCl, and seawater exports from the CIS. Poland accounted for 6.9% of exports in kind, Lithuania for 5.8%, and Ukraine for 3.9%, together making up just 16.6% of total exports. The remaining share was distributed among numerous smaller partners, each with modest individual contributions.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After rising for two years, cross-border shipments of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from the CIS declined. In 2019, exports reached their highest value at 127.3 M $ US, but then dropped by 23.0% to 98.1 M $ US in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 4.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 7.2%.

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

The market base for exports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. Ukraine accounted for 7.5% of exports in value terms, Lithuania for 4.2%, and Poland for 3.6%, together representing only 15.2% of total flows. The remaining 84.8% was shared among many other countries.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, foreign supplies of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to the CIS amounted to 717 K t, showing a significant increase of 176.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 60.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 258.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Ukraine, and Iran consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports in kind. Turkey accounted for 4.3% of imports, Ukraine for 3.9%, and Iran for 1.8%, together making up 10.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, foreign supplies of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to the CIS reached 102.0 M $ US, marking a gradual decline of 4.6% from 106.9 M $ US in 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 92.8 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 7.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 15.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in value terms of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to the CIS were characterized by a wide spread across markets. Turkey accounted for 5.7% of imports in value terms, Ukraine for 4.3%, and Iran for 2.0%, together representing only 11.9% of total flows.

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

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