Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

Salt production in Pakistan reached a peak of 4 012 thousand tons in 2019, following high output in 2018, supported by exports of Himalayan pink salt despite political tensions with India that affected bilateral trade. Regional demand also increased as adverse weather conditions in India created export opportunities to markets like Bangladesh.

The market contracted to 3 135 thousand tons in 2020 due to persistent challenges with inconsistent quality and counterfeit products, alongside price fluctuations influenced by climatic factors and government regulations. A recovery to 3 592 thousand tons occurred in 2021, driven by growing consumer preference for natural and mineral-rich salts, particularly Himalayan pink salt, amid rising health awareness.

A sharp drop to 2 587 thousand tons in market size took place in 2022, even as global demand for Himalayan pink salt expanded. This decline was influenced by international regulatory changes, such as China's food additive standards and U.S. labeling rules, which affected export prospects. In subsequent years, export volumes rose and new product launches in international markets highlighted the salt's popularity, though supply chain disruptions, inflationary price pressures, and a lack of value-added processing systems continued to pose challenges.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Pakistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan ranked 14th globally in the production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater.

Top producers of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

World map of production of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Pakistan's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined. In 2020, the country produced 3,484 K t, marking a significant contraction of 13.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.4%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 4,012 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 3.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of improvement, the value of Pakistan's salt, pure NaCl, and seawater production declined. In 2020, output was valued at 591.3 M $ US, which is 8.1% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 2.5%, with a CAGR of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 643.7 M $ US, and the largest annual increase was in 2019 at 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Pakistan in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Pakistan

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Pakistan exported 351.5 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, representing a 13.9% increase from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 7%, with a CAGR of 2.3%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 308.5 K t, and the largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 8.3%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Pakistan's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. The United States accounted for 22.3% of exports, the United Kingdom for 7.1%, and India for 6.5%, together making up only 35.9% of total flows, indicating a diversified export market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Pakistan's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater totaled 59,660 K $ US, a 20.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 17.8%, with a CAGR of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 49,490 K $ US, and the largest annual decline was in 2019 at 4.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the largest buyer of Pakistan's salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms, accounting for 25.9% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 7.1% and China at 6.5%. Together, these three countries represented just 39.5% of total export value, reflecting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Pakistan

Imports in kind, K t

Pakistan's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume was 2.3 K t, down 5.8% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.9%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 2.8 K t, with the largest annual decline in 2019 at 10.7% and the largest increase in 2018 at 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the leading source for Pakistan's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in kind, accounting for 33.0% of imports, followed by Denmark at 22.5% and Austria at 11.1%. Together, these three countries formed the main cluster, representing 66.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Pakistan's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater increased in value. In 2020, imports stood at 699 K $ US, up 11.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 3.7%, with a CAGR of -1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 630 K $ US, and the largest annual decline was in 2019 at 8.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China was the primary supplier of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Pakistan in value terms, accounting for 31.3% of imports, followed by Denmark at 27.2% and Austria at 13.3%. These three countries jointly accounted for 71.8% of total import value.

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

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