Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The Saudi salt market opened the period at 5 934 thousand tons in 2018 but contracted sharply to 2 778 thousand tons the following year. This decline coincided with a drop in imports to near zero. The market volume fell further to 2 050 thousand tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global salt consumption patterns, affecting production and demand within the kingdom.

A modest recovery to 2 113 thousand tons occurred in 2021, followed by stabilization around 2 097 thousand tons in 2022. During this time, the global salt market was reported to be in a phase of steady growth, dominated by rock salt, which provided a supportive backdrop for the local industry.

From 2023, the sector saw expansion driven by support from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, which unlocked investment opportunities. New salt production and packaging plants were developed to meet demand from pharmaceutical, food, and textile industries. Interest grew in high-purity sea salt for chemical and pharmaceutical uses, and exports surpassed 18 million Saudi Riyals in the first half of 2024, reflecting increased market activity.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia ranked 16th globally in the production volume 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

After two years of growth, Saudi Arabia's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined. In 2020, the country produced 2 220 K t, marking a 20.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 4.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 778 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 5.0% rise.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, dropping to a low in 2019 and peaking in 2018, with a {ampRatio}-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Saudi Arabia exported 199.4 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K t, and the maximum was in 2018 at 693.1 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 100.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 272.9% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain—collectively accounted for 88.0% of Saudi Arabia's total exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Salt, pure NaCl, and seawater exports from Saudi Arabia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 10 781 K $ US, showing a notable decrease of 15.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 12 740 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 21.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Oman (40.4% of exports in value terms), Kuwait (34.1% of exports in value terms), and Bahrain (12.6% of exports in value terms) were the main markets for Saudi Arabia's exports in value terms, together accounting for 87.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a {ampRatio}-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Saudi Arabia imported 29.4 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K t, and the maximum was in 2018 at 3 981.2 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 100.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 16,998.1% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (38.2% of imports in kind), the United States (13.9% of imports in kind), and Germany (13.2% of imports in kind) were the main sources for Saudi Arabia's imports in kind, together accounting for 65.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign supplies of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to Saudi Arabia totaled 17 823 K $ US, representing a steep gain of 38.8% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 12 837 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 25.1% drop.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States (40.0% of imports in value terms), Ireland (16.9% of imports in value terms), and India (8.5% of imports in value terms) remained the key directions for Saudi Arabia's imports in value terms, together taking 65.5% of total flows.

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

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