Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Guinea

Earlier Report Observations

The salt market in Guinea expanded significantly from 2018 to 2020, with volume rising from 20.4 thousand tons to 35.4 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by the launch of the AgriFARM project, which strengthened family agriculture and improved access to local and regional markets, boosting demand for salt. The entry of new industrial players in the mining sector from 2018 also contributed to higher industrial salt consumption.

After peaking in 2020, market volume eased to 33.2 thousand tons in 2021 as imports fell. In 2022, domestic production increased to 25 thousand tons, offsetting lower imports and keeping the market size stable at 33.7 thousand tons. Supply chain disruptions, including a 150% surge in maritime freight costs, constrained salt imports, while government-private protocols aimed to guarantee market supply and price stability.

From 2023 onward, import volumes rebounded, reaching 19.8 thousand tons in 2024. During this period, additional agreements were signed to stabilize prices, and a strategic project to strengthen the fisheries sector was launched, which may further drive salt demand for seafood preservation.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Guinea

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, Guinea produced 20 000 tonnes of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, marking a 33.3% year-on-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 33.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when production remained at 0.0%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Guinea

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 2 059-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Guinea exported 0.0 tonnes of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, representing a sharp decline of 100.0% from 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 35 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 25 614.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Niger and Gambia dominated exports in kind, jointly accounting for 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export volumes hit a low in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 24 times. In 2020, Guinea's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water totaled 1.4 thousand US dollars, down by 47.4% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2.7 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 1 550.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Niger, Gambia, and Italy were the key destinations for exports in value terms, accounting for 44.5%, 30.3%, and 23.4% of total flows, respectively. Together, they represented 98.2% of total exports.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Guinea

Imports in kind, t

Guinea's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 15 420 tonnes, showing a substantial increase of 16.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 295.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 58.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal and India were the core markets for imports in kind of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Guinea, with a combined share of 99.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water into Guinea increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 572.1 thousand US dollars, indicating a solid uptick of 18.5% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 289.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 57.3%.

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

In 2017 to 2020, Senegal and India remained the key destinations for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 93.4% of total flows, while other partners were much less significant individually.

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

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