Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

Myanmar's salt production rose from 189.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 229.8 thousand tons in 2020, with market volume expanding from 201.7 thousand tons to 245.0 thousand tons. This growth coincided with stable domestic table salt prices, which increased slightly to $0.17 per kilogram, and a continued absence of exports as the country's salt shipments abroad diminished to zero.

From 2021, production fell sharply to 161.8 thousand tons and further to 138.4 thousand tons in 2022, reducing market volume to 168.4 thousand tons and 150.4 thousand tons, respectively. The decline was driven by production losses and limited raw salt availability, exacerbated by weather sensitivity and regional policy responses that constrained supply.

Imports fluctuated during the period, dropping to 6.6 thousand tons in 2021 before partial recovery, but remained influenced by import regulations and farmer support measures. No major new production facilities or market entrants were reported, with supply constraints persisting through 2024.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Myanmar

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

Myanmar's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 229.8 thousand tons, marking a gradual rise of 7.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 45%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.2%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

Myanmar's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports were recorded at 1 ton, representing a sharp decrease of 97.0% from 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, exports fell by 99.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 86.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market structure was highly concentrated, with China alone accounting for 99.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Myanmar's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in monetary terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports were recorded at 0.2 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep fall of 96.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, exports decreased by 99.7%, with an annualized rate of 84.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the almost exclusive buyer of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from Myanmar, taking 99.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Myanmar's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 15 209 tons, indicating a solid loss of 14.4% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 46%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 17 774 tons, with the largest increase occurring in 2019 at 41.2%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Thailand remained the dominant partner for imports in kind of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Myanmar, with a share of 70.9% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Myanmar's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in monetary terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 692 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a moderate fall of 10.0% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 975 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 13.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand remained the main destination for imports in value terms, taking 76.6% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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