Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Western Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the salt market in Western Africa expanded from 991 thousand tons to over 1.1 million tons. This growth was driven by a shift toward domestic consumption, as the market, previously focused on exports, began meeting robust local demand. During this period, the promotion of iodized salt by local entrepreneurs and associations improved product quality and accessibility, supporting public health goals and stimulating market volume.

After peaking in 2020, the market contracted to 895 thousand tons in 2021 and 893 thousand tons in 2022. Throughout these years, ongoing efforts to structure the artisanal salt sector and secure better incomes for small-scale producers, particularly women in the Sine Saloum delta, continued, although overall consumption volumes declined. The market remained dominated by artisanal production, while imports of refined salt highlighted opportunities for local processing development.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Western Africa

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

Western Africa's production of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 661.9 K t, marking a 1.5% increase from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 24.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in Western Africa was valued at 95.8 M $ US, up 7.8% from 2019. The lowest value in recent years was 88.8 M $ US in 2019, while the highest was 111.1 M $ US in 2018. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 20.0% decrease, whereas the largest rise was in 2018, with a 17.2% increase.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Africa exported 174 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, showing little change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 59.4%, averaging 16.8% per year. The lowest export volume was 108 K t in 2018, and the highest was 175 K t in 2019. The biggest decline happened in 2018, at 1.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 62.5% jump.

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

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Africa's cross-border shipments of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 25.2 M $ US, a 5.7% gain from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 29.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%.

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

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in Western Africa showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with an 8.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports reached 615 K t, a modest 7.6% increase from 2019. The smallest import volume was 507 K t in 2018, and the largest decline occurred that same year, at 88.6%. The biggest increase was in 2019, with a 12.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, India, and Israel were the top suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Western Africa, though none dominated the market. Brazil accounted for 31.0% of imports in kind, India for 5.3%, and Israel for 3.4%. Together, they made up 39.7% of total imports, with many smaller partners contributing the rest.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Africa imported 128.3 M $ US worth of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, an 18.9% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 25.5%, averaging 7.9% per year. The most notable decline was in 2019, with a 3.4% drop.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Brazil, Namibia, and Israel were the leading sources in the import structure by value. Brazil held 29.5% of imports in value terms, Namibia 19.3%, and Israel 3.7%. Combined, they represented 52.5% of total import flows.

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

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