Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for salt in Namibia displayed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2022, declining overall from 862 thousand tons to 406 thousand tons. This downward trend occurred alongside minimal imports and was primarily shaped by the interplay of domestic production and export activity.

A sharp contraction in market volume to 528 thousand tons in 2020 coincided with a drop in production. While production recovered in subsequent years, a dramatic expansion of exports, particularly the jump to 752 thousand tons in 2022, drew supply away from the domestic market, leading to a further reduction in available volume despite higher output.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Namibia

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

Namibia's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1,108 K t, marking a 33.0% increase. However, in 2020, production fell to 796 K t, representing a significant 28.2% drop compared to the previous year.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Namibia

Exports in kind, K t

Namibia's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the third consecutive year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 57.4%, averaging an annualized decline of 24.8%. In 2019, exports were at a higher level, but by 2020, they dropped to 268.5 K t, a slight 0.7% decrease from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo together accounted for 84.5% of Namibia's total exports in kind. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but smaller share of the export market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Namibia's export value of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports peaked at 35,896 K $ US, with a 41.5% increase. However, in 2019, they fell by 10.6%, and by 2020, the value dropped to 30,477 K $ US, a 5.1% decrease from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the main markets for Namibia's salt, pure NaCl, and seawater exports in value terms. South Africa accounted for 44.1%, Nigeria for 24.4%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 17.7%, collectively making up 86.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Namibia

Imports in kind, K t

The import data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. In 2018, imports peaked at 478.7 K t, with a massive 61,767.7% increase. However, in 2019, they plummeted to 0.7 K t, a 99.8% decline, representing a 645-fold variation from the peak. By 2020, imports rose moderately to 0.8 K t, a 4.1% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Namibia, accounting for 98.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited an unstable trend during this period. In 2018, imports reached their highest point at 5,725 K $ US, with a 600.9% increase. However, in 2019, they fell sharply to 811 K $ US, an 85.8% decline, showing a 7.1-fold change from the peak. By 2020, imports increased slightly to 837 K $ US, a 3.3% year-on-year rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Namibia in value terms, accounting for 99.4% of total imports.

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

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