Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Oman

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Oman's salt market volume reached 266 thousand tons, with imports satisfying nearly all demand prior to the July startup of the Duqm Salt plant. This new industrial facility, built to supply the oil and gas sector for enhanced oil recovery and drilling operations, began reducing import dependency. Market volume expanded to 307 thousand tons in 2019, driven by rising demand from chemical manufacturing and water treatment applications, alongside the market's adjustment to domestic production.

Following the 2019 peak, market volume contracted to 252 thousand tons in 2020, a year that saw the launch of the 'Imdad' unified logistics platform aimed at improving distribution efficiency. The decline continued to 196 thousand tons in 2021 and 170 thousand tons in 2022, while domestic production held steady around 12 thousand tons. Throughout this period, government policies supporting local production and environmental compliance remained in effect.

Salt imports surged dramatically to 1 178 thousand tons in 2023, indicating a sharp, temporary increase in demand. The operational Duqm Salt plant considered expansion plans amidst sustained demand from chemical, water treatment, and food processing industries. By 2024, imports normalized to 312 thousand tons, a shift influenced by global supply chain disruptions and ongoing investment in local production capacity.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Oman

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, Oman produced 11,700 tonnes of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, marking a significant decline of 22.0% compared to 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 11,500 tonnes, which saw the largest annual decline of 36.1%. However, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 30.4%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 35%, averaging an annualized decline of 13.4%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Oman

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 0.2 thousand tonnes, representing the largest annual decline of 77.2%. The following year, 2019, saw the largest increase of 85.4%. By 2020, exports stood at 0.4 thousand tonnes, a year-over-year increase of 9.7%. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018, exports varied by a factor of 4.4.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar was the leading buyer of Oman's salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, accounting for 54.5% of exports in kind. The United Arab Emirates followed with 21.0%, and Somalia with 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 84.7% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values displayed an unstable trend over these years. In 2018, they reached their minimum at 38 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual decline of 73.1%. The following year, 2019, saw the maximum value of 351 thousand US dollars and the largest annual increase of 814.7%. By 2020, exports amounted to 192 thousand US dollars, a sharp year-over-year drop of 45.5%. From 2019 to 2018, the peak-to-trough amplitude was 9.1 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Qatar was the top destination for Oman's salt, pure NaCl, and seawater exports in value terms, making up 43.4% of the total. Yemen accounted for 23.2%, and Kuwait for 11.4%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 78.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Oman

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Oman's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 292.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 20.5% recorded in 2018. By 2020, imports fell to 241.0 thousand tonnes, a notable decline of 17.5% compared to the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 13.9%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Saudi Arabia dominated Oman's imports in kind, together accounting for 82.4% of the total. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but smaller share of imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, Oman's import value for salt, pure NaCl, and seawater decreased. In 2019, imports reached their maximum at 22,361 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 29.5%. By 2020, imports dropped to 20,253 thousand US dollars, down 9.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 50.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia was the primary source for Oman's imports in value terms, representing 41.0%. India followed with 28.2%, and the United Arab Emirates with 22.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 91.5% of total import value.

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

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