Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Mozambique

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the salt market volume in Mozambique fluctuated around 92,000 tons, peaking at 94,200 tons in 2019. The introduction of mandatory iodization of food salt in 2018 stimulated production, which increased from 91,000 tons to 95,000 tons. However, rising exports in 2020 to 5,200 tons led to a decrease in market volume to 91,900 tons, despite stable production. The national food fortification strategy implemented in 2020 supported small salt producers in several provinces.

Between 2021 and 2022, salt production rose to 100,000 tons, but market volume continued to decline, reaching 90,600 tons in 2022, due to a sharp increase in exports, which exceeded 10,000 tons. The launch of the Revolving Fund for the Salt Sector in 2021 provided 6.7 tons of potassium iodate for iodization, supporting product quality. In 2022, the minimum wage increase in the salt sector by 3.2% raised labor costs.

In 2023, the government and partners strengthened support for salt enterprises, focusing on inspections and monitoring of salt fortification using technological tools. Iodized salt consumption remained low, with only 45% of households using it. In 2024, salt production in regions like Mossuril continued with efforts to add value, while the base monetary policy interest rate remained at 9.25%, affecting credit costs for the sector.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Mozambique

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, Mozambique produced 95.0 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, showing minimal change from the previous year. Production decreased by 44.1% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decline of 17.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 91.0 K t, marking the largest decline of 46.5% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase in production at 4.4%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Mozambique

Exports in kind, t

Salt, pure NaCl, and sea water exports from Mozambique increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 5 221 t, a 109.6% rise from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 6 142 494.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3 845.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind were heavily concentrated on Malawi, which accounted for 93.6% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from Mozambique rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 608.0 K $ US, up 13.1% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 1 438 853.1%, with a CAGR of 2 332.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, Malawi was the nearly exclusive buyer of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from Mozambique, purchasing 98.5% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Mozambique

Imports in kind, t

Salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports into Mozambique grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 140 t, a sharp increase of 29.7% from the year before. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports rose by 46.5%, with a CAGR of 13.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 429 t, which also saw the largest decline of 2.2% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest shares of imports in kind came from South Africa (64.8%), India (10.7%), and Portugal (6.5%), together comprising 82.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports into Mozambique increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value reached 797.8 K $ US, 6.2% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 36.3%, with a CAGR of 10.9%.

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

Over 2017–2020, South Africa (66.5% of imports in value terms), Portugal (8.2%), and India (7.0%) together accounted for 81.7% of total import value for salt, pure NaCl, and sea water into Mozambique, making them the primary sources.

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

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