Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Russian salt market volume showed significant fluctuations, peaking at 9.6 million tons in 2021. Growth in the initial years was driven by the expansion of domestic production capacity, including the launch of the Nizhny Novgorod facility in 2017, which increased supply. However, the market contracted in 2020 to 7.2 million tons. Recovery in 2021 occurred alongside heightened competition among producers and rising costs for extraction and transportation.

Between 2022 and 2025, the market adapted to external challenges. Geopolitical factors and sanctions, coupled with a sharp increase in logistics and transportation costs from 2022, impacted market conditions. Regulatory initiatives, such as proposed quotas for domestic salt in retail promoted by the Rusprodsoyuz association, aimed to support local manufacturers. By 2025, production recovered to 7.8 million tons, supported by growing exports to countries like China and Mongolia.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2021, Russia produced 8,240 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, marking a sharp increase of 36.7% compared to 2020. The minimum production level was recorded in 2020 at 6,026 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 26.3%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 22.8%, translating to an annualized rate of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Russia exported 106 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, showing minimal change from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 109 K t, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 2.9%. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 8.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Ukraine and Kazakhstan were the primary destinations for Russia's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in kind, while other markets individually played a less significant role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Russia's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in value terms declined for the second consecutive year, reaching 11,456 K $ US in 2021, a slight decrease of 2.8% from 2020. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 12,051 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 27.4%. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 21.1%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and China were the top contributors to Russia's exports in value terms, accounting for 37.1%, 30.9%, and 7.3% of total flows, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 75.3% of all export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Russia's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in kind reached 1,496 K t, reflecting a robust increase of 10.5% compared to 2020. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 1,353 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.0%. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout 2018-2021, Belarus and Kazakhstan were the main sources for Russia's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in kind, with other markets individually contributing less significantly.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Russia's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in value terms amounted to 79,309 K $ US, representing a gain of 3.1% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 87,818 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 14.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 12.4%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 3.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus and Kazakhstan remained the key partner countries for Russia's imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.0% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021