Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, government policies significantly reshaped Mauritius' salt market. Regulatory measures, including the mandatory labeling of local crude salt as 'unfit for human consumption,' led to the closure of historic salt pans like those operated by the De Ravel family. Simultaneously, market liberalization favored cheap refined salt imports from India, China, and other countries, flooding the market. This resulted in local production stagnating at 500 tons while imports reached 13 336 tons, forming a market volume of 13 213 tons. However, from this peak, the physical market volume began to contract.

The following year saw the emergence of local entrepreneurial initiatives, such as the launch of the 'Génies du Sel' brand offering flavored salt varieties. This entry of a new player likely supported a rebound in domestic production, which increased to 802 tons in 2020. Despite this innovation, the market remained import-dependent, and the overall market volume continued to decline, falling to 10 633 tons in 2020. This drop was also influenced by a sharp rise in exports, which reached 2 092 tons that year.

From 2021 to 2022, the market showed diverging trends. The physical volume recovered slightly to 11 837 tons in 2022 but remained below 2018 levels. In contrast, the market value surged dramatically, rising from 1 244 thousand USD in 2020 to 2 682 thousand USD in 2022. This indicates a substantial increase in import prices or a shift toward more expensive imported products, occurring amidst a policy environment that continued to disadvantage local producers.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Mauritius

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, Mauritius produced 802.0 t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, representing a significant 60.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 60.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 17.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in Mauritius was valued at 146.6 K $ US, showing a sharp increase of 50.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 56.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mauritius in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Mauritius

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from Mauritius reached their lowest point in 2018 at 623 t and peaked in 2020 at 2 092 t, resulting in a 3.4-fold variation between these years. In 2020, exports increased by 30.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 27.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 158.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from Mauritius in terms of volume were Spain (46.2% of exports), France (31.2% of exports), and Seychelles (21.4% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 98.8% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2018 at 123 K $ US and peaked in 2020 at 382 K $ US, creating a 3.1-fold gap. In 2020, Mauritius exported 382 K $ US worth of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, marking a notable increase of 21.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, with a drop of 23.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 155.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from Mauritius in value terms were Spain (43.8% of exports), France (30.5% of exports), and Seychelles (23.1% of exports). Collectively, these three partners represented 97.4% of total exports in value.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Mauritius

Imports in kind, t

Salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports into Mauritius declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 11 923 t, indicating a modest reduction of 5.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.5%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 2.9%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 13 336 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 2.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, India dominated the country structure of imports in kind, accounting for 73.8% of total flows, while other destinations contributed relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Mauritius's import volume of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water was recorded at 1 480 K $ US, which is 6.2% higher compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.8%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 1 393 K $ US, and the maximum was in 2018 at 1 552 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 10.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 10.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners in imports in value terms were India (58.5% of imports), China (10.1% of imports), and Pakistan (9.3% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 77.9% of total import flows.

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

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