Salt imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Zambia imported $12.5 million of salt in 2024 (112.4 thousand tonnes). That is 4% less 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 .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12.5M | 112.4K t |
| 2023 | $13.0M | 125.8K t |
| 2022 | $11.7M | 102.5K t |
| 2021 | $14.1M | 114.7K t |
| 2020 | $13.0M | 100.8K t |
| 2019 | $10.3M | 71.9K t |
| 2018 | $11.1M | 82.4K t |
| 2017 | $10.2M | 93.1K t |
Where Zambia imports salt from
One supplier dominates: Botswana accounted for 75% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Namibia grew fastest (+37% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $9.4M | 75% |
| Namibia | $2.8M | 22% |
| South Africa | $281K | 2.3% |
| China | $27K | 0.2% |
| India | $10K | 0.1% |
| Pakistan | $8K | 0.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $6K | 0% |
| Italy | $3K | 0% |
| Germany | $1K | 0% |
| Turkey | $1K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.11 per kg, 83% above the world average of $0.06. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia salt imports (HS 2501): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported salt worth $12.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 112.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 57th of 221 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply salt to Zambia?
Botswana was the largest supplier with 75% of the value ($9.4 million), followed by Namibia (22%) and South Africa (2%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 16 supplier countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 336% on the year.
What is the average import price of salt per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.11 per kg in 2024, 83% above the world average of $0.06 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of salt to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $10.2 million in 2017 to $12.5 million in 2024, an increase of 22%. The peak was 2021 at $14.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $12.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for salt?
The HS code for salt is heading 2501. In Zambia 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?
EximDataX rebuilds Zambia trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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