Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The South American salt market volume fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2022, rising from 5.7 million tons to 7.0 million tons in 2020 before dropping to 5.6 million tons in 2021 and recovering to 5.9 million tons in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global industrial salt production and demand in 2020, affecting regional supply chains. During this period, international trade dynamics shifted, with increased Chinese salt imports into Peru highlighting competitive pressures, while Chile's salt exports, worth approximately $190 million, reshaped regional trade flows.

Regulatory changes in key countries began to impact the market. Argentina introduced sodium reduction regulations, including bans on salt shakers in restaurants and health warnings on packaging, aimed at reducing consumption. In Brazil, environmental licensing and tax reviews for salt production created operational uncertainties. Concurrently, the global gourmet and specialty salt segment grew, driven by consumer demand for high-quality products, with companies expanding their regional presence.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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

South America's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 13 116 K t, marking a 10.2% decrease from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 30.2%, with an average annual decline of 11.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, South America's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater rebounded in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 333.3 M $ US, showing a strong increase of 12.2% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 30.8%, translating to an annualized rate of 11.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 297.1 M $ US, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 26.1% decline.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from South America

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from South America fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 6 290 K t, down 27.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 9 408 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 43.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and Nigeria were the top destinations for South America's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms. The United States accounted for 68.4% of exports, Canada for 9.0%, and Nigeria for 3.4%, together making up 80.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater from South America dropped for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 159.8 M $ US, a gradual decline of 9.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 5.1%, with an annualized rate of 1.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 224.3 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 33.3%. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 with a 21.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the United States, Canada, and Nigeria emerged as the key markets for South America's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms. The United States held 64.6% of exports, Canada 7.0%, and Nigeria 3.7%, collectively representing 75.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to South America

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater into South America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 164 K t, a 9.3% decrease from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 27.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 211 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 64.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 14.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and China were the primary sources for South America's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in volume terms, together accounting for 3.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater into South America rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 101.7 M $ US, showing a measured increase of 8.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 23.1%, with an annualized rate of 7.2%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 78.2 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 19.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for South America's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. The United States accounted for 7.3% of imports, Pakistan for 4.2%, and China for 3.1%, together making up just 14.6% of total flows. The remaining 85.4% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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