Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Sudan's salt production decreased from 267 thousand tons to 237 thousand tons. During this period, the opening of the first iodized salt factory in Port Sudan and government support for iodized salt production aimed to develop this segment, although overall output began to decline. In 2019, the World Food Programme continued supporting iodized salt facilities, integrating it into food aid projects. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly affected production and consumption, leading to a further drop.

In 2021, production fell sharply to 121 thousand tons, less than half of the 2020 level, with market volume shrinking to 121.4 thousand tons. By 2022, output stabilized at 120 thousand tons, with a market volume of 120.2 thousand tons, indicating a sustained low level after the decline.

In the following years, interest in iodized salt in Sudan persisted, with ongoing support from the World Food Programme for local factories. The government and partners reaffirmed their commitment to salt iodization, having capacity to produce 40% of the country's iodized salt needs, while economic and political challenges posed market difficulties.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Sudan

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

Sudan's production of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 237.0 K t, which was 7.4% lower than in 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 267.0 K t, with the largest annual increase of 13.6% also occurring that year.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. From 2018 to 2020, exports varied dramatically, with a peak-to-trough difference of 161 times. In 2020, Sudan exported 2 t of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, a 75.0% drop from 2019. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 322 t, while the largest decline of 97.5% happened in 2019. The biggest increase, at 0.7%, was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sudan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the core of Sudan's exports in kind consisted of Turks and Caicos Islands (38.3% of exports), Egypt (32.8%), and Chad (23.0%). Together, these three countries accounted for 94.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility during these years. Exports in value terms reached their highest point in 2018 and fell to their lowest in 2019, with a 63-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, the value of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater leaving Sudan was 3.9 K $ US, up 61.1% from the previous year. The minimum value was 2.4 K $ US in 2019, while the maximum was 153.5 K $ US in 2018. The largest decline of 98.4% occurred in 2019, and the biggest increase of 181.8% was in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt consistently made up 76.4% of Sudan's total exports in value terms, showing a high concentration on this market. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their peak in 2019 and their lowest point in 2017, with a 100-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sudan imported 562 t of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, which was 46.0% less than in 2019. The maximum import volume was 1 041 t in 2019, and the largest increase of 7 006.7% was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sudan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (32.8% of imports in kind), Spain (12.7%), and Saudi Arabia (11.2%) were the main sources for Sudan's imports. Together, they represented 56.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Import values varied 3.8 times from the high in 2017 to the low in 2020. In 2020, Sudan imported approximately 167.8 K $ US of salt, pure NaCl, and seawater, a sharp reduction of 46.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline of 56.9% was in 2018, while the biggest increase of 15.0% occurred in 2019.

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

The partner structure for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Belgium (23.7% of imports), Egypt (13.4%), and Saudi Arabia (9.4%) together accounted for only 46.5% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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