Top 10 Salt Exporting Countries: Explore the Global Salt Export Data

Discover the top 10 salt-exporting countries with detailed global salt export data, major companies, HS codes, market trends, export values, and future forecasts. Stay informed with TradeImeX.

Apr 11, 2025 0 4.8k

Top 10 Salt Exporting Countries: Explore the Global Salt Export Data

The global salt trade is vital for fulfilling the demand for this essential mineral in our interconnected world. Salt is not only used in food preservation and flavoring but also in various industrial processes, making it a valuable commodity in the international market. According to the salt export data and global trade data for salt exports, the total value of salt exports globally reached $3.75 billion in 2024, a 10% increase from the previous year, i.e., $3.40 billion in 2023. In the last five years, this category's trade has expanded at a yearly rate of 3.59%. In 2024, Salt was ranked 556th amongst the 1220 products traded, with a global trade value that represented 0.021% of total world trade. Salt has the 4-digit HS code 2501 in international trade. In this article, we will delve into the top 10 salt-exporting countries and analyze the global salt export data.

List of Top 10 Salt Exporter Countries: Global Salt Exports by Country

Top 10 Salt Exporter Countries

The global salt industry is dominated by several key players, with the top 10 salt exporter countries leading the way in global salt exports. These countries, including the United States, Germany, Netherlands, India, and China, play a significant role in meeting the worldwide demand for salt. The top salt exporters in the world as per the salt shipment data and global export trade data for 2024 include:

1. India: $437.96 million

India is a key player in the salt export industry, with an export value of $437.96 million. The country's rich salt reserves and competitive pricing make it a popular choice for salt importers looking for quality products at affordable prices.

2. Germany: $386.19 million

Germany is another major salt exporter, with an export value of $386.19 million. The country is known for its high-quality salt products and efficient export processes, making it a preferred supplier in the global market.

3. Netherlands: $330.66 million

The Netherlands is a significant player in the global salt export market, with an export value of $330.66 million, as per the Netherlands salt export data by HS code. The country's strategic location and well-established infrastructure make it a top exporter of salt to various countries around the world.

4. USA: $244.24 million

The United States is a significant salt exporter, with an export value of $244.24 million as per the US salt export data by HS code. The country's advanced technology and stringent quality standards ensure that its salt products meet the highest industry requirements.

5. Spain: $192.15 million

Spain is a prominent salt exporter, with an export value of $192.15 million. The country's long history of salt production and expertise in salt processing make it a sought-after supplier in the global market.

6. Chile: $146.09 million

Chile is a leading salt exporter, with an export value of $146.09 million. The country's well-established mining industry and abundance of salt reserves make it a reliable source of high-quality salt for global markets.

7. China: $123.66 million

China is a major salt exporter, with an export value of $123.66 million. The country's vast salt reserves and efficient production processes enable it to meet the growing demand for salt in various industries around the world.

8. Canada: $113.91 million

Canada is a key player in the global salt export market, with an export value of $113.91 million. The country's sustainable salt mining practices and commitment to environmental stewardship make it a preferred choice for eco-conscious importers.

9. United Kingdom: $98.44 million

The United Kingdom is a notable salt exporter, with an export value of $98.44 million. The country's long maritime history and access to global shipping routes make it a competitive player in the international salt trade.

10. Belgium: $67.29 million

Belgium is a significant player in the salt export industry, with an export value of $67.29 million. The country's strategic location in Europe and strong logistics network make it a reliable supplier of salt to markets across the continent.

Global Salt Exports in the Last 10 Years: Yearly Salt Export Data

Salt Exports

Year of Salt Trade	Salt Export Value ($)	Export quantity (metric tons)
2014	$2.64 billion	52 million metric tons
2015	$2.49 billion	53.20 million metric tons
2016	$2.26 billion	54.50 million metric tons
2017	$2.52 billion	56 million metric tons
2018	$3.11 billion	57.30 million metric tons
2019	$2.85 billion	58.50 million metric tons
2020	$2.75 billion	56.80 million metric tons
2021	$3.23 billion	59.20 million metric tons
2022	$3.36 billion	60 million metric tons
2023	$3.40 billion	61.50 million metric tons
2024	$3.75 billion	63.50 million metric tons

Biggest Salt Exporter Companies in the World: Global Salt Suppliers Data

When it comes to the global salt market, certain companies stand out as the biggest salt exporter companies in the world. Their influence spans continents, supplying salt to a diverse range of industries and markets. Dampier Salt and Tata Salt are some of the top salt exporters globally. These global salt suppliers are essential players in meeting the demand for this fundamental mineral worldwide. The top 10 salt-exporting companies, as per the global salt suppliers database and salt exporters data for 2024, include:

Exportadora de Sal S.A. (Mexico): 8 million metric tons (total export shipments in 2024)
Dampier Salt (Australia): 8.5 million metric tons
Shark Bay Salt (Japan): 3.7 million metric tons
Compass Minerals International Inc. (USA): 9 million metric tons
Friends & Friends (India): 3 million metric tons
Rankers Group (India): 2.5 million metric tons
Jakhau Salt (India): 2 million metric tons
Sambhar Salts Limited (India): 1.7 million metric tons
Kutch Salt & Allied Industries (India): 1.6 million metric tons
Tata Chemicals Ltd.: 1.5 million metric tons

Global Salt Exports by HS Code

HS Code 250100: Salt and pure sodium chloride
HS Code 25010010: Common Salt
HS Code 25010020: Rock Salt
HS Code 25010090: Others

So, the top HS codes for salt are 250100, 25010010, 25010020, and 25010090. If you need to discover the latest salt HS Codes for imports/exports, go to the TradeImeX platform and easily explore other product-wise HS Codes.

Types of Salt With Export Values (2024-25)

Type of Salt Exported	Export Value (USD)
Table Salt	$1.2 billion
Sea Salt	$850 million
Rock Salt	$700 million
Industrial Salt	$500 million
Black Salt	$150 million
Pink Salt (e.g., Himalayan)	$100 million
Specialty Salts (e.g., garlic, lemon, flavored)	$50 million

Salt Export Trends (2014-2024)

Volume Growth: Global salt exports grew from 52 million metric tons in 2014 to an estimated 63.5 million in 2024.
Top Growing Exporters: India and Australia showed significant YoY increases (8–12%).
Industrial Demand: Driven by chemical manufacturing (chlor-alkali), food-grade applications, and road de-icing.

Export Pricing Trends

2023 Average FOB Price: ~$61 per metric ton.
2024 Average Price (Estimated): $58–62 per metric ton (slightly stable due to oversupply in some regions).
Premium Grades: High-purity and food-grade salt priced 25–40% higher.

Global Salt Export Pricing Trends (2020–2024)

Year	Avg. FOB Price (USD/MT)	High-Grade Salt Price (USD/MT)	Notes
2020	$58/metric ton	$70–85/metric ton	COVID-19 caused a brief price dip
2021	$60/metric ton	$72–88/metric ton	Steady recovery
2022	$61/metric ton	$73–90/metric ton	Supply chain stabilizing
2023	$61/metric ton	$75–95/metric ton	Strong industrial demand
2024	$58–62/metric ton	$76–92/metric ton	Stable, with slight oversupply impact

Shipment Trends for Salt Exports

Major Ports:

Mexico: Guerrero Negro
Australia: Dampier, Port Hedland
India: Kandla, Mundra

Container vs Bulk: ~75% of salt exports are via bulk vessels due to volume.
Q1 2024 Highlight: India recorded a 66% surge in salt exports through Deendayal Port.

Market Trends & Insights

Industrial Usage: Still the top segment, accounting for ~60% of global demand.
Desalination Boom: Increasing use of salt in water treatment facilities globally.
Green De-icing Agents: Rising demand in North America & Europe for eco-friendly blends.
Innovation: Growing export of iodized and specialty gourmet salts.

Impact of US Tariffs & Trade Policies on Salt Exports

US Salt Import Tariff: No major tariffs on unrefined or industrial salt imports in 2024.
Trade Agreements: USMCA has kept the salt trade between the US, Mexico, and Canada tariff-free.
China-US Trade: No significant restrictions on salt imports as of 2024.

Global Salt Export Forecast (2025–2030)

CAGR: Expected ~3.8% growth in export volume.
Industrial Sector Growth: Chemical industry demand is likely to grow by 5% annually.
Technology Adoption: Shift toward solar salt harvesting, AI in logistics.

Key Takeaways

India remains the top salt exporter by volume.
India, Germany, and Netherlands are emerging as a fast-growing export hubs.
Bulk transport continues to dominate salt logistics.
No major tariff barriers for top exporters.
The market outlook is stable, with slight growth driven by industrial and eco-friendly applications.

Top 10 Salt Export Brands in 2025

Rank	Brand Name	Parent Company	Country of Origin	Primary Salt Type	Export Focus Regions
1	Morton Salt	Stone Canyon Industries	USA	Table, Rock, Industrial	North America, Latin America, Asia
2	Cerebos	Bud Group / Associated British Foods	South Africa	Fine, Table, Iodized	Africa, Australia, UK
3	Saxa	Premier Foods	United Kingdom	Table, Flaked	Europe, Commonwealth nations
4	Tata Salt	Tata Chemicals	India	Iodized, Premium Table	Middle East, Africa, SEA
5	Salins du Midi	Groupe Salins	France	Sea Salt, Fleur de Sel	Europe, Middle East, USA
6	Windsor Salt	Morton Salt (Stone Canyon Industries)	Canada	Road, Table, Water Softener	North America
7	Himalayan Pink Salt	Various (Hubsalt, Ittefaq, etc.)	Pakistan	Gourmet Rock Salt	USA, EU, Japan, Middle East
8	Selina Naturally®	Celtic Sea Salt Inc.	USA	Unrefined Sea Salt	USA, Europe, Australia
9	Esco Salt	K+S AG	Germany	Rock, Table, Industrial	Europe, Americas
10	Baleine	Groupe Salins	France	Sea Salt, Gourmet	Global–premium/gourmet segment

Factors Influencing Salt Exports

Several factors influence the export of salt on a global scale. These include:

Production Capacity: Countries with higher production capacities can export more salt to other nations.
Quality Standards: Maintaining high-quality standards is crucial for exporting salt to international markets.
Trade Agreements: Bilateral and multilateral trade agreements play a significant role in facilitating salt exports between countries.
Economic Conditions: The state of the global economy can impact the demand for salt and, subsequently, its export volume.

Challenges in the Salt Export Industry

Despite the increasing demand for salt worldwide, the industry faces several challenges that can hinder the export process. These challenges include:

Environmental Concerns: Salt production can have adverse effects on the environment, leading to regulatory restrictions on exports.
Competition: The global salt market is highly competitive, with various countries vying for market share.
Transportation: Transporting salt over long distances can be costly and complex, affecting export volumes.

Opportunities for Growth

Despite the challenges, the global salt export industry presents several growth opportunities. These include:

Diversification of Products: Developing innovative salt-based products can open up new markets for exporters.
Sustainability Initiatives: Adopting sustainable practices in salt production can improve market appeal and attract environmentally conscious consumers.
Market Expansion: Exploring emerging markets and forging new trade partnerships can help exporters expand their reach.

Conclusion

The global salt export data reveals the intricate network of salt trade among nations, with the top 10 salt-exporting countries playing a pivotal role in meeting the world's salt requirements. From the Netherlands to India, each country brings its unique strengths and contributions to the global salt market, ensuring a steady supply of this essential mineral to consumers and industries worldwide. Our report concludes with the verdict that salt is an immensely growing commodity in global trade with several countries consuming and supplying this ionic compound is adding different flavors to foreign trade.

We hope that you liked our interactive blog report on the global salt export data and top salt exporters. Visit TradeImeX and get access to the latest salt trade trends and global import-export data. Contact us at info@tradeimex.in and get a list of the top salt-exporting companies around the world at your fingertips!