Salt is key in many areas, like food and chemicals. Every year, millions of tons are mined and made from seawater. In 2024, the top salt makers keep leading the world market with huge amounts.
Top 20 Salt-Producing Countries in 2024
| Rank | Country | Salt Production (tons) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇨🇳 China | 55,000,000 t |
| 2 | 🇺🇸 United States | 40,000,000 t |
| 3 | 🇮🇳 India | 28,000,000 t |
| 4 | 🇩🇪 Germany | 16,000,000 t |
| 5 | 🇦🇺 Australia | 13,000,000 t |
| 6 | 🇨🇦 Canada | 12,000,000 t |
| 7 | 🇨🇱 Chile | 11,000,000 t |
| 8 | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | 9,000,000 t |
| 9 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 9,000,000 t |
| 10 | 🇷🇺 Russia | 8,000,000 t |
| 11 | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 6,600,000 t |
| 12 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 6,000,000 t |
| 13 | 🇫🇷 France | 5,000,000 t |
| 14 | 🇵🇱 Poland | 4,600,000 t |
| 15 | 🇪🇸 Spain | 4,000,000 t |
| 16 | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 3,000,000 t |
| 17 | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 3,000,000 t |
| 18 | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 2,800,000 t |
| 19 | 🇮🇷 Iran | 2,700,000 t |
| 20 | 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | 2,400,000 t |
China leads in salt production, making 55 million tons, says FAO and USGS. The U.S. and India follow with 40 and 28 million tons, respectively. These three countries have a big share of salt production, thanks to their mines and salt marshes.
Germany and Australia are also in the top 5, making 16 and 13 million tons each year.
The Rise of Sea Salt Producers
Sea salt makers are becoming more important. Countries like France, Portugal, and Italy use salt marshes to make salt rich in minerals. This salt is loved by those who care about quality.
Artisanal sea salt is growing, thanks to a love for natural foods. This trend is making some countries invest more in sea salt production.
The Importance of Industrial Salt
But salt is not just for food. Industrial salt is a big part of the market. It’s used in:
- Chemical product manufacturing (chlorine, caustic soda)
- Water treatment
- Road de-icing
- Pharmaceutical industry
The U.S. and Canada, for example, make a lot of salt for de-icing roads.
Market Perspectives and Evolution
As demand for salt grows, countries are updating their salt making and refining. New methods, like better extraction and desalination, might change how salt is made in the future.
The USGS and FAO say the salt market will keep growing. This is thanks to the growth of chemicals and food industries. The biggest salt producers will have to find new ways to meet these needs.
In short, salt is a vital resource that affects the world’s economy and food supply.
📌 Sources:
Maddison World Bank, IMF – Global Economic Statistics
FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
USGS – United States Geological Survey
