Average Value Of Salt, By Product Form And Type

This table presents the average value of salt by different product forms—bulk, compressed pellets, packaged, and pressed blocks—and by salt type, including vacuum and open pans, solar, rock, and brine. The data, expressed in dollars per metric ton, reflects the net selling value free on board plant, excluding container costs. Understanding these values is crucial for economic and industrial stakeholders as salt is a fundamental commodity used in numerous applications ranging from chemical manufacturing and food processing to de-icing and water treatment. Tracking the average value by product form and type helps identify market trends, cost fluctuations, and the relative economic importance of various salt sources and processing methods.

Analysis of the data reveals notable shifts between 2022 and 2023. For vacuum and open pan salt, the average value increased significantly from $217.58 to $238.51 per metric ton, driven primarily by rises in bulk salt (from $108.8 to $156.14) and packaged salt (from $276.35 to $288.61). Compressed pellets also saw a modest increase from $225.88 to $231.03. Solar salt values rose moderately across bulk (from $81.15 to $87.03), compressed pellets (a substantial jump from $210.98 to $257.09), and packaged forms (from $185.83 to $195.86), indicating growing demand or cost pressures in this category. Conversely, rock salt experienced a decline in average value from $56.86 to $52.20 per metric ton, with bulk salt dropping from $55.13 to $50.38 and packaged salt increasing slightly from $139.39 to $147.39. Brine salt values remained relatively stable, around $9.11 to $9.24 per metric ton for bulk forms. These trends highlight the dynamic nature of salt markets, influenced by production methods, product form, and salt type.