Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Venezuela, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Salt production in Venezuela remained steady at 300 thousand tons annually from 2018 through 2022. This stability was underpinned by state-owned Industrias Salineras, C.A. (Indusalca), which has operated for over 48 years in Zulia state, covering salt production and refinement in western Venezuela. The company's integration of local suppliers and human talent into the production process helped maintain consistent output. Production is concentrated in the regions of Zulia, Araya, and Falcón, with national consumption estimated around 600 thousand tons, indicating a recovery in the sector.

Market volume fluctuated between 300 and 306 thousand tons during the period, primarily driven by variations in imports. In 2019, imports surged to 6.4 thousand tons, lifting the market volume to 306.4 thousand tons. This occurred alongside a reported 100% drop in Venezuela's table salt exports between 2017 and 2019, which eliminated overseas sales and kept all production domestic. Subsequently, imports moderated to 3.1 thousand tons in 2020 and below 1.0 thousand tons in 2021-2022, bringing market volume back to around 300-301 thousand tons. These minor shifts represent a stabilization of the salt market rather than a pronounced trend.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Venezuela

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

In 2020, Venezuela produced 300.0 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, showing no significant change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 8.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 300.0 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 8.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 0.0%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Venezuela

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 617-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Venezuela exported 3 t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, marking a dramatic year-on-year decrease of 38.8%. The minimum value was 1 t in 2018. The largest decline was 99.8% in 2018, while the largest increase was 855.8% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia was the primary and nearly exclusive market for Venezuela's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in kind, accounting for 90.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Volumes varied 18 times from the low in 2019 to the high in 2017. In 2020, Venezuela's cross-border shipments of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water amounted to 11 K $ US, representing a 1 042.5% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 1 K $ US in 2019. The largest decline was 85.3% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the key partners for Venezuela's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in value terms were Colombia (43.3% of exports), Singapore (35.2%), and France (10.1%), collectively representing 88.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Venezuela

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 62-fold difference. In 2020, Venezuela's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water stood at 3 084 t, reflecting a steep 51.8% decrease from 2019. The minimum value was 103 t in 2018, while the maximum was 6 395 t in 2019. The largest decline was 57.7% in 2018, and the largest increase was 6 100.0% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Venezuela were largely oriented towards Brazil, which held a 95.0% share of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports changed by a factor of 26 from the low in 2018 to the high in 2019. In 2020, Venezuela's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water totaled 476 K $ US, corresponding to a dramatic 62.4% decline compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 48 K $ US in 2018, and the maximum was 1 266 K $ US in 2019. The largest decline was 67.2% in 2018, while the largest increase was 2 544.5% in 2019.

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

Over 2017–2020, Brazil remained the dominant partner for Venezuela's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in value terms, with an 83.4% share of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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