Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Madagascar

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the salt market volume in Madagascar declined from 104.7 thousand tons to 89.6 thousand tons, while production increased from 110 thousand tons to 120 thousand tons. This shift was driven by a sharp rise in exports, which grew from 7.4 thousand tons to 30.5 thousand tons over the same period. The state-owned Compagnie Salinière de Madagascar (CSM) played a key role by supplying the domestic market and exporting to Indian Ocean islands, supporting production levels.

The longstanding universal salt iodization policy, reinforced by regulatory requirements for all human and animal consumption salt to be iodized and fluoridated, shaped production trends. This led to increased household availability of iodized salt, reaching 42% in 2020. However, in 2022, producers in Toliara faced an imminent iodine stock shortage, threatening iodized salt output, though overall production was maintained after regional authorities intervened to secure supply.

Market structure evolved with the entry of new private player TAF Madagascar in 2023, strengthening production and diversifying market segments. The same year, new equipment was introduced in Toliara to improve iodized salt quality. By 2024, macroeconomic factors like inflation and infrastructure challenges affected production costs, but government initiatives to stabilize prices of essential goods, including salt, helped support local producers.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Madagascar

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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, Madagascar produced 110.0 thousand tons of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, maintaining the same level as in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase also took place in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Madagascar

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their highest point in 2017 and fell to their lowest in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Madagascar exported 6 666 tons of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, marking a sharp decline of 31.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018 at 65.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 30.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind was heavily concentrated on Seychelles, which accounted for 70.0% of total flows. Other markets played a relatively minor role during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Madagascar exported 825 thousand US dollars worth of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, representing a significant drop of 22.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 57.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.8%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 52.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 15.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the export structure in value terms was dominated by Seychelles and Comoros, which together made up 81.5% of total flows. Other markets contributed to a smaller portion of exports.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Madagascar

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Volumes peaked in 2019 and dropped to their lowest in 2020, showing a 42-fold shift between these years. In 2020, Madagascar imported 104 tons of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, down by 97.6% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 310 tons, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 102.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India consistently represented 86.2% of total imports in kind, indicating a high reliance on this market. The remaining imports were distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. Volumes reached their highest in 2019 and fell to their lowest in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.4 times. In 2020, Madagascar's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water totaled 95 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 70.7% from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2019 at 324 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was also in 2019 at 76.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure in value terms was led by India (57.3% of imports), France (15.5% of imports), and China (5.3% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 78.0% of total import flows.

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

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