Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Iran, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Iranian salt market was characterized by strong competition and price sensitivity in 2018, with part of the production remaining unrefined due to high processing costs, limiting export potential. Market volume stood at 2.4 million tons that year, then dipped slightly to 2.3 million tons in 2019.

A sharp expansion to 3.3 million tons occurred in 2020, reflecting a significant surge in domestic consumption. While health awareness regarding high salt intake in traditional foods could influence consumer behavior, the overall market volume grew substantially during this period.

The market receded to 3.0 million tons in 2021, a year that saw the rise of alternative products like sea salt in the traditional medicine segment, indicating shifting consumer preferences. By 2022, volume recovered to 3.4 million tons, supported by the growing role of state-affiliated entities in the market, which through their privileged position likely bolstered production and supply chain activities.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Iran ranked 15th globally in salt, pure NaCl, and seawater production between 2017 and 2020.

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

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

Following a two-year decline, Iran's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater rebounded. In 2020, output reached 3 678 K t, marking a 38.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production grew by 21.6%, averaging 6.7% annually. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 657 K t, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 8.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of losses, Iran's production value for salt, pure NaCl, and seawater showed improvement. In 2020, the output was valued at 103.9 M $ US, reflecting a solid 10.7% rise compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, the overall production value decreased by 31.8%, with an annualized decline of 12.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 93.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual drop of 26.9%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Iran

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, Iran's export volume of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater increased. In 2020, exports stood at 354.7 K t, up 10.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 4.6%, averaging 1.5% annually. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 319.8 K t, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Afghanistan were the top destinations for Iran's exports in kind, accounting for 32.7%, 15.6%, and 13.4% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 61.6% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Iran's export value of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 10 022 K $ US, representing an 11.3% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports decreased by 41.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Afghanistan played the leading roles in Iran's export value for salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, with shares of 41.4%, 13.8%, and 13.6%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 68.8% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Iran

Imports in kind, K t

Iran's import volume of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 0.1 K t, a sharp 71.1% fall year-over-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 92.7%, with a CAGR of -58.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Austria, and Germany were the leading sources for Iran's imports in kind, with shares of 58.0%, 13.9%, and 7.2%, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 79.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Iran's import value of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 221 K $ US, down 22.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 81.8%, with an annualized decline of 43.3%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Turkey, Italy, and Austria accounted for the largest shares of Iran's import value, with 66.8%, 6.5%, and 6.4%, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 79.6% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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