Salt exports from Namibia: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of salt by Namibia reached $40.6 million in 2024 (926.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 4% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $40.6M | 926.8K t |
| 2023 | $38.9M | 1.72M t |
| 2022 | $41.5M | 856.1K t |
| 2021 | $36.8M | 514.5K t |
| 2020 | $34.1M | 472.1K t |
| 2019 | $32.3M | 513.4K t |
| 2018 | $29.5M | 345.1K t |
| 2017 | $27.6M | 386.7K t |
Where Namibia exports salt to
Most of it went to South Africa (33%), Nigeria (21%), DR Congo (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+96% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $13.3M | 33% |
| Nigeria | $8.7M | 21% |
| DR Congo | $6.7M | 16% |
| Zambia | $2.8M | 6.8% |
| United States | $2.0M | 5% |
| Ghana | $2.0M | 5% |
| Cameroon | $1.9M | 4.7% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $1.8M | 4.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $816K | 2% |
| Botswana | $361K | 0.9% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.04 per kg, 33% below the world average of $0.06, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Salt imports to Namibia
In 2024, Namibia imported salt worth $663 thousand (754 tonnes). South Africa alone supplied 92% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $608K | 92% |
| United Kingdom | $18K | 2.7% |
| South Korea | $11K | 1.7% |
| China | $10K | 1.5% |
| United States | $9K | 1.3% |
| Germany | $2K | 0.3% |
| Poland | $2K | 0.2% |
| France | $1K | 0.1% |
| Botswana | $1K | 0.1% |
| Angola | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Namibia?
The shipment records behind Namibia salt exports (HS 2501): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2501: Salt (including table salt and denatured salt); pure sodium chloride whether or not in aqueous solution; sea water.
Common questions
What is the value of salt exported by Namibia?
Namibia exported salt worth $40.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 926.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 180 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy salt from Namibia?
South Africa was the largest buyer with 33% of the value ($13.3 million), followed by Nigeria (21%) and the DR Congo (16%). The top three together account for 71%, out of 31 buyer countries in total. Zimbabwe grew fastest among the top ten, up 96% on the year.
What is the average export price of salt per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.04 per kg in 2024, 33% below the world average of $0.06 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of salt from Namibia changed since 2017?
Exports went from $27.6 million in 2017 to $40.6 million in 2024, an increase of 47%. The peak was 2022 at $41.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $35.1 million a year.
Does Namibia also import salt?
Yes. Namibia imported $663 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from South Africa, the United Kingdom and South Korea. On balance Namibia is a net exporter of this product, by about $39.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for salt?
The HS code for salt is heading 2501. In Namibia all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 2501.00. It sits in HS chapter 25 (salt; sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime and cement). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2501 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Namibia. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
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