Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The salt market in Estonia, measured in value terms, stood at 6.6 million US dollars in 2018 and remained near 6.8 million the following year. In 2020, it dropped to 5.3 million. During this phase, a national salt consumption study highlighted excessive intake, leading to increased public health messaging and industry pressure to reformulate processed foods with less salt.

A strong rebound occurred in 2021, pushing the market to 8.9 million, and it reached a peak of 11.6 million in 2022. Subsequently, the market contracted to 9.4 million in 2023 and 6.9 million in 2024. A 2022 study reaffirmed that nearly 90% of the population consumed too much salt, strengthening regulatory focus on nutrition labeling and sustained efforts to reduce sodium in the food supply. These persistent health-oriented measures likely contributed to the market's downward trajectory after its 2022 high.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, $ US

Estonia's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 35 497 US dollars, marking a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 13.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in value, 2018-2021, $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, kg

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

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

In 2021, Estonia produced 5 100 kg of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, showing little change from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 15.9%, averaging 5.0% growth per year. The highest output was in 2019 at 5 200 kg, which saw an 18.2% increase. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest decline of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Estonia

Exports in kind, K t

Estonia's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 8.8 thousand tonnes, up 10.4% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 41%, with an average annual rate of 12.1%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 6.0 thousand tonnes, which saw a 3.6% decline. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a jump of 32.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Finland and Latvia were the dominant destinations for Estonia's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms, together making up 87.3% of total flows. Other countries accounted for much smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Estonia's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms have increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 1 712 thousand US dollars, a strong 10.1% rise from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 20.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 249 thousand US dollars, which saw a 12.4% decline. The largest increase was in 2020, with a 24.5% surge.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Finland and Latvia were the key partners for Estonia's exports in value terms, with Finland accounting for 45.5% and Latvia for 38.2% of total flows, together making up 83.7%. Other partners contributed the remaining share.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Estonia

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed an unstable trend over this period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Estonia imported 122.2 thousand tonnes of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, an 85.7% increase from 2020. The minimum volume was in 2020 at 65.8 thousand tonnes, which saw a 39.3% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus and Germany were the main sources for Estonia's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms, jointly accounting for 85.9% of total flows. Other partners made up the rest.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Estonia's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms reached 10 606 thousand US dollars, up 55.3% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 32.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.8%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 6 831 thousand US dollars, which saw a 15.0% decline.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Germany, Belarus, and Denmark—together accounted for 72.9% of total imports in value terms of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Estonia.

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

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