Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, salt production in Eastern Asia declined from 64 949 thousand tonnes to 54 857 thousand tonnes, while the market volume shrank from 85 131 thousand tonnes to 74 535 thousand tonnes. This contraction aligned with market saturation noted in 2022 and a regulatory ban on approving new salt production facilities implemented in 2018, which limited industry expansion. Concurrently, retail salt prices rose, reflecting cost pressures and shifts in supply and demand.

Despite the overall volume decrease, the industry underwent significant technological upgrades, such as China Salt Group's steam turbine retrofit and the introduction of mechanical vapor recompression salt-making systems, which enhanced production energy efficiency. The market also diversified into higher-value products, including seasoned salt, nutritional salt, and functional salts, catering to evolving consumer preferences for health and variety.

In later years, China Salt Group expanded the use of salt caverns for compressed air energy storage, supporting national energy security and carbon goals. Government regulation continued to evolve with revised state salt reserve management methods and strengthened quality control, shaping a more consolidated and standardized industry landscape.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Eastern Asia

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

Eastern Asia's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 59,827 thousand tons, marking a 6.6% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in Eastern Asia reached $12,251 million, which is 10.3% higher than the year before. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 12.4%, translating to an annualized rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $11,108 million, while the peak occurred in 2018 at $14,218 million. The most significant drop happened in 2019, with a 21.9% decline.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Asia exported 600 thousand tons of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, showing a sharp decrease of 35.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 30.6%, with an average annual decline of 11.5%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 575 thousand tons, and the highest was in 2019 at 926 thousand tons. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 61.1% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from Eastern Asia were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Vietnam accounted for 10.4% of exports, the Philippines for 7.1%, and Bangladesh for 5.2%, together making up only 22.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Eastern Asia's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater totaled $115.3 million, reflecting a strong increase of 11.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 13.5%, with an average annual rate of 4.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $122.8 million. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 16.1% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a 21.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. Vietnam represented 8.6% of exports, the Philippines 6.7%, and the United States 4.9%, together accounting for only 20.2% of total flows. The remaining 79.8% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater into Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 16,634 thousand tons, corresponding to a 13.2% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.9%, with an average annual decline of 6.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 20,757 thousand tons, and the largest increase occurred that same year, with a 2.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Eastern Asia were India, accounting for 42.1% of imports, Australia with 33.9%, and Mexico with 19.2%. Together, these three countries formed 95.3% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Asia's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at $728.5 million, which is 9.0% less than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at $814.3 million, and the largest increase occurred that year, with a 7.3% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Australia, India, and Mexico were the core suppliers for imports in value terms. Australia accounted for 31.2% of imports, India for 30.9%, and Mexico for 17.5%, together representing 79.6% of total flows.

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

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