Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Kuwait

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the salt market in Kuwait showed moderate fluctuations, with volume ranging from 138 to 154 thousand tons. Domestic production remained steady at 58 thousand tons annually, meaning changes in market size were driven entirely by import levels, which peaked in 2020.

In 2022, the market volume dropped sharply to 56 thousand tons, a direct result of imports falling to zero. For 2023 and 2024, import volumes recovered significantly, reaching 157 thousand tons and 140 thousand tons respectively.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Kuwait

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, Kuwait produced 58 000 tonnes of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, with production remaining stable year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Kuwait

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 225-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2017. In 2020, Kuwait exported 33 tonnes of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, marking a sharp increase of 69.7% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 19 tonnes, with the largest decline that year reaching 93.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water were primarily shipped to Qatar, which accounted for 90.4% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Exports changed by 33 times between the trough in 2019 and the peak in 2018. In 2020, Kuwait exported 41 thousand US dollars worth of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, reflecting a dramatic increase of 43.6% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 28 thousand US dollars, while the maximum value occurred in 2018 at 939 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, at 97.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the two leading markets for Kuwait's exports in value terms were Saudi Arabia and Qatar, together accounting for 84.9% of total exports, with the remainder distributed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Kuwait

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year contraction, Kuwait's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water increased. In 2020, imports totaled 96 377 tonnes, representing a strong rise of 19.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 80 511 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 18.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and India were the dominant sources for Kuwait's imports in kind, jointly accounting for 87.7% of total flows, with the remaining share going to other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Kuwait's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from abroad increased. In 2020, import volume totaled 11 922 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial rise of 18.9% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 15.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 10 031 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 1.7%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the principal suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Kuwait in value terms were Saudi Arabia (59.3% of imports), India (13.7% of imports), and the United States (7.2% of imports), jointly accounting for 80.1% of total imports.

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

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