Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The salt market in Colombia showed relative stability in its volume from 2018 to 2019, hovering around 488 thousand tons. A significant expansion occurred in 2020, when the market size increased by over 10% to reach 535 thousand tons. This growth was driven by higher domestic production, which rose to 410 thousand tons, and increased imports.

After the 2020 peak, the market contracted in 2021 to 489 thousand tons, as both production and imports declined. A partial recovery followed in 2022, with market volume reaching 500 thousand tons, supported by a rebound in production and steady import levels.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Colombia

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

Colombia's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 410.0 K t, marking an 8.9% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 18.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 376.3 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 22.0% drop.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Colombia

Exports in kind, K t

Colombia's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater increased after a two-year reduction. In 2020, exports reached 13.4 K t, up 2.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 39.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -15.2%. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 13.1 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 26.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Colombia's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in kind were Costa Rica (32.2% of exports), the United States (12.4%), and Ecuador (11.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 56.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Colombia's export value of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 4 059 K $ US, up 3.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 851 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 11.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of Colombia's salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms were the United States (26.1% of exports), Costa Rica (24.1%), and Honduras (14.7%). Together, these three countries formed 64.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Colombia

Imports in kind, K t

Colombia's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 138.5 K t, showing a substantial 12.9% year-over-year uptick. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 28.7%, with an annualized rate of 8.8%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Colombia were largely concentrated on Peru, which accounted for 72.6% of total flows. Other countries together formed the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Colombia's import value of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 8 224 K $ US, up 8.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 31.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (50.4% of imports in value terms), the Netherlands (13.7%), and the United States (10.1%) consistently held leading positions in Colombia's import structure. Together, they accounted for 74.2% of total import flows.

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

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