Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The Indian salt market saw its volume fluctuate between 17.3 million tons in 2018 and 12.8 million tons in 2022, with shifts largely driven by export activity and production constraints. A drop to 15.1 million tons in 2019 coincided with strong export demand and weather variability that hampered output in key producing states. The market rebounded to 16.6 million tons in 2020 as COVID-19-related logistics disruptions curtailed export shipments, while industrial demand from chemicals and food processing remained steady. Further growth to 17.8 million tons in 2021 was supported by the Salt Commissioner’s Office modernization efforts and rising domestic appetite for specialty salts like Himalayan pink salt.

A sharp decline to 12.8 million tons occurred in 2022, primarily due to climate change effects that shortened production seasons in Gujarat and Rajasthan, compounded by a substantial rise in export volumes. Throughout the period, regulatory changes such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's revised labeling rules for clearer nutritional information were implemented. Major companies, including Tata Chemicals, launched new product variants targeting health-conscious consumers, reflecting evolving preferences without altering the core market volume trajectory.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India held the third position globally in the production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater.

Top producers of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

World map of production of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

India's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 26 564 thousand tonnes, down 5.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 8.2%, averaging an annual decrease of 2.8%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 30 034 thousand tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 6.6% decline, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater production in India reached 516.7 million US dollars, up 1.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 532.4 million US dollars. The largest decrease was in 2019, at 4.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 17.6%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from India

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, India's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined. In 2020, exports totaled 10 048 thousand tonnes, a 22.8% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 9.8%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 13 010 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 14.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for India's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms were China, accounting for 47.3% of exports, South Korea at 14.4%, and Japan at 9.2%. Together, these three countries made up 70.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, India's export value for salt, pure NaCl, and seawater fell. In 2020, export value reached 195.4 million US dollars, a sharp decline of 17.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 12.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.9%. The peak value was in 2019 at 236.8 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 30.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from India in value terms were China, with 39.5% of exports, South Korea at 12.4%, and Japan at 8.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 59.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to India

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 64 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 115 thousand tonnes, a 1.8-fold increase between these years. In 2020, imports rose by 79.7% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 33.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran—together accounted for 83.1% of India's total imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, India imported salt, pure NaCl, and seawater valued at 47.0 million US dollars, a 47.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value surged by 98.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.6%. The largest decrease was in 2019, at 12.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 54.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to India in value terms were Pakistan, with 29.0% of imports, China at 13.7%, and the United Arab Emirates at 11.8%. Together, these three countries represented 54.4% of total import value.

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

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