Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, South Africa's salt market volume grew from 907 thousand tonnes to 933 thousand tonnes. This expansion occurred alongside continued competition from cheaper imports from Botswana and Namibia, which placed pressure on local producers but likely helped sustain overall consumption through lower prices. Market growth was underpinned by earlier industry capacity expansion plans and the established presence of major players like Cerebos controlling the premium food salt segment.

The market faced a contraction in 2020, with volume dropping to 925 thousand tonnes and value falling to $229 million. This decline coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and dampened demand across many sectors. Production volumes, however, continued their steady upward climb throughout the period, reaching 572 thousand tonnes by 2022.

A strong recovery followed in 2021 and 2022. Market volume surged to a peak of over 1 million tonnes in 2022, while the market's value rebounded sharply to $274 million in 2021 before stabilizing. This post-pandemic rebound restored and then exceeded pre-2020 consumption levels, completing a period of overall growth from 2018 to 2022.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2018-2021

World map of production of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 544.0 K t of these products, marking a 1.0% improvement compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 14.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.5%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After a two-year decline, South Africa's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater has rebounded. In 2021, the output was valued at 272.4 M $ US, showing a strong rise of 18.6% compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 229.6 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year increase, South Africa's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined in 2021. Exports totaled 37.6 K t, representing a significant decrease of 18.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 46.3 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 12.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Eswatini were the top contributors to South Africa's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in kind. Zimbabwe accounted for 31.6% of exports, Lesotho for 21.6%, and Eswatini for 17.1%. Together, these three countries made up 70.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

South Africa's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 18 811 K $ US, showing a gradual decrease of 4.7% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports dropped by 18.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -6.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, there was no single dominant market for South Africa's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms. The United States accounted for 28.2% of exports, Zimbabwe for 11.5%, and Australia for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 47.6% of total export value, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

South Africa's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in kind have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported approximately 382.2 K t, down by 11.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 19.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of -6.8%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Namibia and Botswana were the primary suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to South Africa in kind. Together, they accounted for 95.0% of total imports, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms totaled 20 416 K $ US, representing an increase of 8.9% year-over-year. However, between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 2.5%, equating to an annualized rate of -0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 18 750 K $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 21 222 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 11.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia, Botswana, and the United Kingdom remained the main suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater to South Africa in value terms. Namibia accounted for 53.1% of imports, Botswana for 24.7%, and the United Kingdom for 6.4%. Collectively, these three countries formed 84.3% of total import value.

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

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