Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Ecuador

Earlier Report Observations

The salt market in Ecuador maintained a stable volume of around 75 000 t from 2018 to 2020. During this period, state-owned Ecuasal remained a key producer and distributor of iodized salt, supporting public health programs to combat endemic goiter. Private companies like Mar y Sal and Emprosal also operated in the market, with a focus on refined and iodized salt for general consumption. Consumer preferences began to shift towards gourmet and sea salt segments, though these represented emerging niches.

From 2021, the market volume expanded significantly, reaching 89 268 t in 2021 and 111 564 t in 2022, a 48% increase over two years. This growth was primarily fueled by a surge in imports, which rose from 3 744 t in 2020 to 40 696 t in 2022, while domestic production held steady at 75 000 t. The market saw continued activity from major players like Ecuasal, recognized by UNICEF for its public health contributions, and Emprosal, which strengthened its position as a leading industrial salt distributor. Fiscal policy changes, including an increase in VAT to 15% in 2022, affected final product prices. Concurrently, the diversification into gourmet and sea salt offerings responded to evolving consumer tastes for value-added products.

For 2023 and 2024, import volumes showed notable fluctuations, dropping to 24 t in 2023 before rebounding to 65 755 t in 2024. Export levels remained relatively stable around 3 000–4 000 t. The trend towards gourmet and sea salt segments persisted, driven by demand for healthier, additive-free products. Global economic factors such as inflation and adjustments to the unified basic salary influenced purchasing power for basic goods like salt.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Ecuador

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

In 2020, Ecuador produced 75,000 tons of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, showing no significant change from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ecuador in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Ecuador

Exports in kind, t

Ecuador's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3,605 tons, remaining flat compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from Ecuador were Cuba (11.8% of exports in kind), Belgium (11.5%), and Chile (2.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 25.4% of total exports in kind, with the remainder distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 291,000 US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 779,000 US dollars, representing a 2.7-fold difference. In 2020, exports from Ecuador amounted to 489,000 US dollars, marking an uptick of 68.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 62.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 114.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (29.1% of exports in value terms), Cuba (16.1%), and the United States (11.6%) were the main destinations for salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from Ecuador, together accounting for 56.8% of total exports in value.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Ecuador

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Ecuador imported 3,744 tons of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, indicating a moderate gain of 5.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.9%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 3,545 tons, while the maximum was in 2018 at 4,076 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Colombia, Spain, and Peru—together accounted for 75.0% of total imports in kind of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Ecuador.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2017, imports reached their lowest point, while the peak occurred in 2020, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ecuador imported 1,833,000 US dollars of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, marking a steep increase of 94.9% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for imports in value terms of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Ecuador were Colombia (30.4% of imports in value terms), Spain (16.6%), and Chile (16.0%), which jointly accounted for 63.0% of total flows.

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

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