Market research

Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in El Salvador

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The salt market in El Salvador contracted in physical terms from 125.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 114.4 thousand tons in 2020, before partially recovering to 122.0 thousand tons in 2021. In value, the market oscillated between $34.1 million and $35.9 million over these years, reflecting changing price levels and demand.

In 2022, the market volume held steady at 123.6 thousand tons, while its value climbed to $37.0 million. This rise in value was accompanied by a documented 100% increase in retail salt prices in parts of the country, which elevated production costs for dairy and other food processors. Broader economic growth of 2.6% that year supported private consumption, helping to sustain overall salt demand.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in El Salvador
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in value, 2018-2022, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from El Salvador, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from El Salvador by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in El Salvador

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

In 2021, El Salvador produced 100.0 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, showing no significant change compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.0%, while the largest increase also occurred in 2019 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	-	-	-	-

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the output of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in El Salvador was valued at 31 567 K $ US, reflecting a controlled improvement of 4.7% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production increased by 3.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 30 145 K $ US, and the maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 32 320 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 6.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in El Salvador in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.4%	(6.7%)	4.7%	1.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from El Salvador

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from El Salvador increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 1 185 t, marking an abrupt gain of 37.6% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 41.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.7%	2.0%	37.6%	12.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Nicaragua and Honduras continued to lead the list of markets for exports in kind, together accounting for 92.7% of total flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, El Salvador's volume of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water exports amounted to 374 K $ US, up by 44.1% versus the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 46.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.1%	(4.8%)	44.1%	13.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Nicaragua and Honduras together captured 90.0% of total exports in value terms, with the rest of the flows spread thinly across other markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from El Salvador in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to El Salvador

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, El Salvador's import volume of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water increased. In 2021, imports amounted to 23 226 t, which is 51.9% greater than in 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 11.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 15 287 t, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 38.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(38.0%)	(5.9%)	51.9%	(4.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico and Guatemala together captured 80.6% of total imports in kind, with the rest of the flows spread thinly across other markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to El Salvador in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Salt, pure NaCl, and sea water shipments to El Salvador from abroad increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports tallied 4 281 K $ US, marking a slight rise of 1.8% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 811 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.0%, while the largest increase was in 2020 at 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.0%)	10.3%	1.8%	0.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Mexico (45.0% of imports in value terms), Guatemala (18.1% of imports in value terms), and Colombia (13.0% of imports in value terms) remained the leading destinations in the country structure of imports in value terms, with a combined share of 76.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to El Salvador in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io