Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The salt market in Southern Europe expanded from 7 769 thousand tons in 2018 to 8 096 thousand tons in 2019. However, in 2020, volume plummeted to 6 934 thousand tons as the global COVID-19 pandemic reduced demand across all regions. A recovery followed in 2021, bringing the market back to 7 779 thousand tons.

By 2022, market size had dipped to 7 557 thousand tons. Towards the end of the period, the market saw significant developments: the European company CIECH launched its AQUA PRO salt tablet brand, emphasizing modernization and sustainable production. Concurrently, rising demand for gourmet and organic salt, along with salt for chemical processing and de-icing, indicated evolving consumer preferences and industrial applications.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Southern Europe

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 Southern Europe has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, production stood at 6 417 K t, showing a significant year-on-year decrease of 16.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Salt, pure NaCl, and sea water exports from Southern Europe to foreign markets have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 303 K t, marking a sharp decline of 32.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 28.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of -10.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 339 K t, with the largest increase of 28.8% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the primary destinations for salt, pure NaCl, and sea water exports from Southern Europe. France accounted for 20.2% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 19.6%, and the United States for 11.9%. Together, these three countries represented 51.6% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe exported salt, pure NaCl, and sea water worth 231.9 M $ US, up by 10.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 39.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.8%. The largest decline was seen in 2019 at 0.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 27.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Belgium accounted for 16.7% of exports in value terms, France for 15.8%, and the United States for 8.5%. These three countries together represented 41.0% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 59.0%.

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

World map of product's exports from Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year increase, salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports into Southern Europe declined. In 2020, imports reached 1 820 K t, indicating a reduction of 21.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13.2%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.6%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 317 K t, with the largest increase of 7.4% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia, Egypt, and the Netherlands were the main sources for salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports into Southern Europe. Tunisia accounted for 26.4% of imports in kind, Egypt for 24.2%, and the Netherlands for 11.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, salt, pure NaCl, and sea water imports into Southern Europe declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 168.6 M $ US, showing a strong decrease of 15.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 2.7%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of -0.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 199.3 M $ US, with the largest increase of 8.7% occurring in 2018.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, imports in value terms of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Southern Europe were spread across numerous countries. Austria accounted for 14.5% of imports in value terms, Germany for 12.2%, and Tunisia for 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 37.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020