Salt spoon

In 2024, worldwide export sales of salt from all countries totaled US$3.78 billion.

Total salt exports increased in value by an average 37% from five years earlier in 2020 when export sales for salt were worth $2.76 billion.

Year over year, the dollar value of exported salt accelerated via a 10.5% upturn compared to $3.42 billion for 2023.

Comprised mainly of sodium chloride, salt is a mineral with many uses. Only about 6% of manufactured salt is used in food. Salt is an important ingredient for water conditioning processes, road and sidewalk de-icing and agricultural applications. Salt is also used to create soap, aluminum, paper pulp, synthetic rubber and pottery glazing.

By value, the 5 biggest exporters of salt are India, Germany, Netherlands, Mexico then the United States of America. Combined, that quintet of major suppliers generated 43.7% of all international salt exported during 2024.

From a continental perspective, sources in Europe supplied the highest dollar worth of exported salt during 2024 with shipments valued at $1.6 billion or 42.2% of the global total. In second place were exporters in Asia (24.2%) trailed by providers in North America (16.1%). Smaller percentages originated from Africa (10.9%), Latin America (6.2%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, and Oceania (0.4%) mostly New Zealand.

Shifting our focus to imports, the 5 leading buyers of salt in 2024 are mainland China, United States of America, Japan, South Korea and Belgium. Collectively, that subgroup of top import countries bought 39.4% of globally imported salt as measured by dollar value.

Those percentages suggest the total 155 salt exporters (43.7% for corresponding top 5 exporters) is more concentrated compared to over 220 importing countries, islands and territories. As specified in the above paragraph, the top 5 importers consumed a lower percentage at 39.4%.

As for imports of salt by continent, 39.7% of salt purchases was delivered to customers in Europe. Trailing buyers in Europe were importers in Asia (35.9%), North America (15.7%), Africa (4.2%), Latin America (3.6%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, and Oceania (1%) led by Australia and New Zealand.

For research purposes, the 6-digit Harmonized Tariff System code prefix is 250100 for salts including table salt, denatured salt and pure sodium chloride.

By value, the listed 20 countries shipped 82.5% of globally exported salt in 2024.

Among the top exporters, the fastest-growing salt exporters since 2023 were: Kenya (up 26.9%), United Kingdom (up 17%), Belgium (up 11.8%) and Spain (up 8.7%).

Those countries that posted declines in their exported salt sales were led by: Canada (down -26.5% from 2023), Chile (down -19.7%), Netherlands (down -18%), Türkiye (down -8.9%) and Romania (down -8.6%).

The overall cost for imported salt was $5.16 billion. That dollar metric rose by 29% over the 5-year period starting in 2020 but was on par year over year compared to 2023 via a minor -0.01% slowdown.

Below are the 20 best buying markets as measured by the highest dollar value worth of salt imported during 2024.

By value, the listed 20 countries bought 73.2% of globally imported salt in 2024.

Among the top importers, the fastest-growing salt importers since 2023 were: mainland China (up 32.6%), Sweden (up 24.2%), Denmark (up 24.1%) and Netherlands (up 19.7%).

Those countries that posted declines in their imported salt purchases were led by: Ukraine (down -20.1% from 2023), Canada (down -16.5%), United States of America (down -13.1%), Germany (down -9.9%) and Brazil (down -8.8%).

We calculated the world’s average unit price for globally imported salt to be $67 per ton in 2024. That dollar amount reflects a -6.2% drop from the average tonnage rate of $71.4 for 2023.

The average tonnage charge of $42 for the number one salt importer, mainland China, was lower than the world average of $67 in 2024.

Ranked in ascending order, listed below are the countries paying the lowest average unit prices for imported salt in 2024.

Experiencing double-digit percentage reductions in average unit price paid per ton for salt from were low-cost importers in Nigeria (down -86.5% from 2023), Kyrgyzstan (down -72%), Kenya (down -32.8%), mainland China (down -14.3%) then Brazil (down -10%).

The following countries paid the highest average unit prices for imported salt.

The strongest percentage increases in terms of higher average unit prices paid in 2024 compared to 2023 were experienced by salt importers in Venezuela (up 1,548%), Niger (up 1,186%), Bahamas (up 1,082%) then the Central African Republic (up 485.9%).

See also Top Black Pepper Exports & Imports by Country Plus Average Prices, Sugar Exports by Country, Top Sweet Pepper and Chili Pepper Exporters, Top Garlic Exports by Country, Onions Exports by Country, Top Pickles Exporters by Country and Top Exported Spices by Sales, Weight and Unit Value

Research Sources:
Alibaba, Salt Showroom. Accessed on June 12, 2025

Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Exports – Commodities. Accessed on June 12, 2025

International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on June 12, 2025

Wikipedia, Salt. Accessed on June 12, 2025