Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

The Thai salt market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2022, starting at 1 696 тыс. т in 2018 before dropping to 1 502 тыс. т in 2019. It stabilized around 1 509 тыс. т in 2020, then grew to 1 605 тыс. т in 2021 and reached 1 621 тыс. т in 2022. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, declining from 188.5 млн долл. in 2018 to 158.3 млн долл. in 2019, recovering to 181.6 млн долл. in 2021, and then dipping to 172.2 млн долл. in 2022.

Domestic salt production increased from 1 487 тыс. т in 2018 to 1 580 тыс. т in 2019, fell to 1 440 тыс. т in 2020, and then expanded significantly to 1 737 тыс. т by 2022. Imports saw extreme volatility, plummeting from 348 тыс. т in 2018 to just 3 тыс. т in 2019, partially recovering in subsequent years. Exports grew steadily from 140 тыс. т in 2018 to 280 тыс. т in 2022.

By 2024, consumer trends in Thailand shifted toward greater health consciousness, favoring minimally processed and locally sourced fresh foods. This heightened focus on food safety and natural products increased scrutiny on processing standards and labeling requirements for salt used in health-oriented and processed foods.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand ranked 27th globally in the production volume of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water.

Top producers of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

World map of production of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

In 2020, Thailand produced 1,440 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, representing a modest 8.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 3.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1,580 K t, with the largest increase of 6.3% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in Thailand was valued at 173.0 M $ US, reflecting a moderate 4.0% increase compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.8%. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 166.4 M $ US, while the peak was in 2018 at 189.2 M $ US. The most significant decline of 12.0% occurred in 2019, whereas the largest increase of 12.1% was recorded in 2018.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Thailand

Exports in kind, K t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 81.4 K t and peaked in 2020 at 167.6 K t, resulting in a 2.1-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Thailand exported 167.6 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, marking a substantial 105.8% increase from 2019. The largest decline of 41.7% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Thailand's exports in kind were Cambodia, Malaysia, and Myanmar, which together accounted for 77.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest level in 2019 at 8,575 K $ US and reached a peak in 2020 at 20,136 K $ US, showing a 2.3-fold difference. In 2020, Thailand exported 20,136 K $ US worth of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, which represents a 134.8% surge compared to the previous year. The most significant decline of 51.7% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary destinations for Thailand's exports in value terms were Cambodia (25.6% of exports), Malaysia (19.8% of exports), and Papua New Guinea (16.4% of exports). Together, these three markets formed 61.8% of total export flows for salt, pure NaCl, and sea water.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Thailand

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Imports were at their lowest in 2019 at 3.3 K t and peaked in 2018 at 348.1 K t, resulting in a 106-fold variation. In 2020, Thailand imported 236.6 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, which is a dramatic 7,078.0% increase from 2019. The largest decline of 99.1% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India consistently dominated Thailand's imports in kind, accounting for 76.3% of the total. This high concentration indicates a heavy reliance on the Indian market, with the remaining share distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility during this period. Imports reached their highest level in 2018 at 17,062 K $ US and dropped to the lowest in 2019 at 476 K $ US, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 36 times. In 2020, Thailand imported 12,113 K $ US of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, marking a sharp uptick of 2,442.9% compared to 2019. The most significant decline of 97.2% was recorded in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Thailand in value terms were India (45.8% of imports), Asia, not elsewhere specified (17.1% of imports), and China (14.3% of imports). Together, these three sources constituted 77.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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