Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese salt market has been shaped by structural changes and external shocks. Following the abolition of the state salt monopoly, which removed entry and import barriers, numerous domestic salt manufacturers entered the market, relying on imported salt and keeping import shares high. In 2019, market volume grew to 8.5 million tons, driven primarily by rising demand from the chemical industry, especially the chlorine-alkali sector. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily halted chemical manufacturing, reducing industrial salt consumption and pulling the market size down to 7.9 million tons.

Post-pandemic recovery in 2021 lifted the market to 8.3 million tons, supported by heightened health awareness and government sodium reduction targets that spurred demand for reduced-salt food products. The following year, however, saw a sharp contraction to 7.2 million tons as import salt prices surged due to elevated transportation costs and production volatility in key supplying countries, which significantly curtailed import volumes. Concurrently, the rapid development of Japan's automotive industry, particularly electric vehicle sales, increased demand for salt in heat treatment applications, though this was insufficient to offset the import decline.

In more recent years, the market has been influenced by growing mining activities that require salt solutions and sustained demand from chemical manufacturing processes for chlorine, caustic soda, and soda ash. The chlorine market's expansion, fueled by pharmaceutical, water treatment, and PVC construction applications, has further underpinned salt consumption. Health trends continue to drive innovation in salt substitutes and functional salt products, reflecting ongoing shifts in consumer preferences and regulatory support for sodium reduction.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

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

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

Japan's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 855.0 K t, marking a 2.2% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.7%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Japan's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater saw an increase in value terms. In 2021, the output was valued at 1 896 M $ US, reflecting a moderate rise of 7.7% compared to the year before. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, production value decreased by 22.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 761 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 15.7%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

Japan's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 2 K t, up 8.8% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 16.4%, averaging an annual increase of 5.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 2 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.0%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 9.2% rise.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, three key markets—Singapore, China, and Asia (not elsewhere specified)—collectively accounted for 56.8% of Japan's total exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, Japan's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms rebounded. In 2021, exports totaled 4.1 M $ US, showing a strong year-on-year increase of 19.8%. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 2.1%, with an average annual decline of 0.7%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 3.5 M $ US, and the largest decline was in 2019, at 14.0%.

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

Data from 2018 to 2021 show that Japan's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms were not heavily concentrated in a few markets. China (17.4% of exports), Germany (16.8%), and Hong Kong (12.6%) together accounted for only 46.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Japan's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater reached 7 475 K t, a 5.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 2.2%, averaging an annual rise of 0.7%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 7 069 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 6.9%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 7 594 K t.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Australia and Mexico dominated Japan's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms, while other markets played a smaller role.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms amounted to 332.2 M $ US, up 12.1% from the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 18.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 8.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 15.2%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Australia (40.4% of imports), Mexico (31.7%), and India (12.1%) together accounted for 84.1% of Japan's total imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms, making them the primary sources.

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

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