This list reveals the top 10 salt importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2017, world salt imports totaled US$3.7 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $182.4 million worth of salt led by the following countries:
1. Nigeria: $48.7 million
2. Uganda: $23.7 million
3. South Africa: $20.1 million
4. Malawi: $12.1 million
5. Zambia: $10.3 million
6. Tanzania: $8.7 million
7. Rwanda: $6.4 million
8. Zimbabwe: $5.4 million
9. Angola: $5.3 million
10. Côte d'Ivoire: $5.1 million
Asian Importers
Asia imported $1.3 billion worth of salt led by the following countries:
1. China: $315.7 million
2. Japan: $299.6 million
3. Indonesia: $232.7 million
4. Korea, Republic of: $132.5 million
5. Taipei, Chinese: $112.3 million
6. Malaysia: $36 million
7. Philippines: $24.9 million
8. Singapore: $19.4 million
9. Vietnam: $17.9 million
10. Bangladesh: $15.5 million
European Union (EU) Importers
European Union imported $1.1 billion worth of salt led by the following EU members:
1. Germany: $190.9 million
2. Belgium: $135.8 million
3. United Kingdom: $97.8 million
4. France: $92.2 million
5. Netherlands: $67.8 million
6. Italy: $58 million
7. Sweden: $56.2 million
8. Czech Republic: $54.5 million
9. Poland: $46.2 million
10. Hungary: $41.7 million
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $119.1 million worth of salt led by the following countries:
1. Brazil: $30.3 million
2. Costa Rica: $21.6 million
3. Argentina: $8 million
4. Guatemala: $7.8 million
5. Uruguay: $7.5 million
6. Colombia: $6.3 million
7. Peru: $6.1 million
8. Paraguay: $5.8 million
9. Honduras: $4.8 million
10. Dominican Republic: $3.7 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $85.8 million worth of salt led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $15.7 million
2. Saudi Arabia: $15.3 million
3. Qatar: $14.7 million
4. Oman: $10.7 million
5. Kuwait: $10.3 million
6. Iraq: $4.7 million
7. Syria: $4.1 million
8. Israel: $3.3 million
9. Lebanon: $2.4 million
10. Bahrain: $2.3 million
North American Importers
North America imported $661.3 million worth of salt led by the following countries:
1. United States: $522.8 million
2. Canada: $123.8 million
3. Mexico: $14.7 million
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $34.1 million worth of salt led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $15.5 million
2. New Zealand: $10.5 million
3. Papua New Guinea: $3.9 million
4. Kiribati: $800,000
5. Fiji: $666,000
6. French Polynesia: $659,000
7. New Caledonia: $527,000
8. Micronesia: $467,000
9. Marshall Islands: $448,000
10. Samoa: $259,000
To see the 25 fastest-growing salt importers from 2013 to 2017, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage decline for globally imported salt was -9.8%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Salt Importers 2017
Fastest-Growing Salt Import Countries
Research Note: Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.
