Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

Cuban salt production and market volume grew from 2018 to 2020, with output rising from 192.7 thousand tons to 226.0 thousand tons. This initial expansion was supported in 2018 by the state-owned company Ensal reporting production exceeding its plan by 5 600 tons, particularly of fine salt, which boosted supplies for the basic consumer basket. The market size correspondingly increased from 194.6 thousand tons to 227.0 thousand tons over this period.

A reversal began in 2021 when production fell to 204.6 thousand tons and the market contracted to 205.4 thousand tons. This decline was driven by systemic failures in distribution and commercialization recognized by Ensal, which caused domestic shortages and pushed prices sharply higher on the informal market. These logistical and supply chain difficulties persisted into 2022, described as malfunctioning 'technological flows,' leading to a further drop in production to 195.6 thousand tons and a market size of 196.5 thousand tons.

The distribution crisis deepened in the following years. By 2023, despite imports of salt worth 769 000 USD, a critical lack of domestic transport led to large stockpiles in warehouses, preventing the salt from reaching consumers and exacerbating scarcity. In 2024, over 9 000 tons remained undelivered due to these logistical constraints. Meanwhile, private sector participation in retail sales, including small and medium-sized enterprises, grew to represent around 55% of the market, selling salt at elevated prices through informal channels as the state system faltered.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Cuba

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

Cuba's production of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 226.0 K t, marking a 7.4% rise from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 8.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 192.7 K t, which saw the steepest drop of 21.8%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase at 9.2%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Cuba

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 1 t, with the sharpest decline of 77.9%. They then surged to a peak in 2019, reaching 20 t—a dramatic increase of 3 792.0% from the year before, resulting in a 39-fold difference between the two years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada was the leading market for Cuba's exports in kind, holding an 87.5% share of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among various other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over the timeframe. Exports in value terms reached their highest point in 2018 at 21 K $ US, with the largest increase of 246.9%. They then fell to a low in 2019 at 4 K $ US, a drop of 78.6% year-over-year, creating a 4.7-fold variation between these years.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of Cuba's salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in value terms were Saint Lucia (37.1% of exports), Jamaica (34.0%), and Canada (14.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 85.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

Cuba's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 1 019 t, down 39.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 44.6%, with an average annual decline of 17.9%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 1 946 t, which also saw the largest increase of 5.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador (27.2% of imports in kind), Spain (22.0%), and China (20.4%) were the primary sources for Cuba's salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports. Combined, they made up 69.6% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports in value terms were at their lowest in 2018 at 963 K $ US, then peaked in 2019 at 2 565 K $ US, with the largest increase of 166.3%. In 2020, they fell to 1 397 K $ US, down 45.5% from the prior year, resulting in a 2.7-fold difference between the high and low points.

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

During 2017-2020, Denmark (40.0% of imports in value terms), Spain (29.9%), and China (11.7%) were the largest suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Cuba. Together, they represented 81.7% of total import value.

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

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