Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the salt market volume in South-eastern Asia contracted from 12 617 тыс. т to 8 423 тыс. т. This decline occurred alongside sustained public health campaigns by Singapore's Health Promotion Board and Singapore Heart Foundation, which emphasized the health risks of high sodium intake and promoted lower-salt diets. Concurrently, commitments from major manufacturers to reformulate products with reduced sodium content supported regulatory efforts to curb excessive salt consumption.

The market stabilized in 2021 with a slight increase to 8 540 тыс. т. That year, virtual health events continued to raise awareness on salt reduction, while consumer interest grew in healthier alternatives such as low-sodium and mineral-enriched salts. By 2022, market volume rebounded sharply to 11 192 тыс. т, though no new specific regulatory or industry initiatives were reported to explain this expansion.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in South-eastern Asia

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

Salt, pure NaCl, and sea water production in South-eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 4 368 K t, marking a 27.9% decrease from 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 6 386 K t, which represented the largest annual increase of 44.1%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a low of 17 K t in 2019 and a high of 225 K t in 2020, representing a 12.9-fold difference. In 2020, exports surged by 1,194.4% year-over-year, while the largest decline of 84.3% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Papua New Guinea accounted for 6.6% of exports, Hong Kong for 5.4%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 2.2%, totaling 14.2%. The remaining 85.8% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values fluctuated, reaching a minimum of 22.2 M $ US in 2019 and a maximum of 42.0 M $ US in 2020, a 1.9-fold increase. In 2020, exports rose by 88.8% compared to the previous year, while the largest decline of 42.7% was recorded in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner landscape for exports in value terms was broad. Asia, not elsewhere specified, contributed 7.4% of exports, Papua New Guinea 6.7%, and Australia 6.4%, together making up 20.5% of total flows. The substantial majority, 79.5%, went to many other countries.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

South-eastern Asia's salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 4 280 K t, down 20.3% from 2019. Over the period 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 5.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The peak was in 2018 at 6 342 K t, with the largest increase of 56.0% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia was the primary source for salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports to South-eastern Asia, representing 74.1% of total imports in kind. Other destinations played a much smaller role.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, salt, pure NaCl, and sea water import volumes in South-eastern Asia declined. In 2020, import value reached 232.2 M $ US, a 1.5% decrease from 2019. Over 2017-2020, imports increased by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The highest value was in 2019 at 235.7 M $ US, and the largest increase of 15.3% was in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia, India, and China were the main suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to South-eastern Asia in value terms. Australia accounted for 53.2% of imports, India for 16.1%, and China for 9.8%, together comprising 79.1% of total imports.

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

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