Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Tanzania's salt market volume began expanding due to government policies promoting self-sufficiency, which included support for local producers and import limitations. This drove a sharp rise in domestic production from 36.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 99.5 thousand tons in 2019. The market continued to grow, reaching 297.7 thousand tons in 2022, bolstered by major investments in processing infrastructure. The government initiated construction of a new salt processing factory in Kilwa District, Jitegemee Holdings advanced a salt refinery project, and the Nyanza Salt factory launched in Uvinza District to produce fortified livestock salt. These developments, alongside plans to introduce special salt production licenses and a ban on salt imports, aimed to enhance local capacity and reduce import dependence.

Market volume exhibited volatility between 2020 and 2021. It surged to 256.1 thousand tons in 2020, largely fueled by a spike in imports to 214.1 thousand tons. The following year, volume contracted to 208.3 thousand tons as imports fell to 158.2 thousand tons. The overall trend from 2018 to 2022, however, remained strongly upward, with the market nearly doubling in size over the period.

In 2023 and 2024, regulatory and infrastructure development efforts continued. The government moved to introduce new special salt production licenses with reduced fees to encourage investment, and additional processing plants were planned in Kilwa and Hanang regions. These steps reinforced the focus on expanding domestic production capabilities and improving product quality, although comprehensive market volume data for these years is not included in the reported statistics.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Tanzania

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

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 36.4 thousand tons, then peaked in 2017 with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania produced 84.0 thousand tons of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, representing a 15.6% decrease compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 63.6%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 173.4%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Tanzania

Exports in kind, K t

Tanzania's cross-border shipments of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 42.0 thousand tons, marking a 35.2% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 109.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 27.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo remained the primary buyers of Tanzania's salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, accounting for 89.7% of total exports in kind, with other countries comprising the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Export volumes reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania's salt, pure NaCl, and sea water exports totaled 7 661 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 63.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.7%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 134.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo together accounted for 87.3% of total exports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed across other markets.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Tanzania

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Tanzania imported 214.1 thousand tons of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, representing a steep increase of 81.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 15.7%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018 at 91.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Kenya together accounted for 92.1% of Tanzania's total imports in kind, with other countries forming a diversified but less significant portion.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Tanzania's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water amounted to 11 808 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic gain of 60.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 31.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 372 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in the same year at 32.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Kenya remained the main source for imports in value terms, capturing 70.5% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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