Rock Salt Market Assessment, By Product Type [Himalayan Salt, Kosher Salt, Curing Salt, Pretzel Salt, Black Salt], By Form [Powder, Crystal, Chunk], By Grade [Food Grade, Industrial Grade], By End-user [Household, Commercial], By Distribution Channel [Onl

Rock Salt Market Assessment, By Product Type [Himalayan Salt, Kosher Salt, Curing Salt, Pretzel Salt, Black Salt], By Form [Powder, Crystal, Chunk], By Grade [Food Grade, Industrial Grade], By End-user [Household, Commercial], By Distribution Channel [Online, Offline], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

Global rock salt market was 392 million tons in 2023 and is expected to reach 504.73 million tons in 2031, with a CAGR of 3.21% for the forecast period between 2024 and 2031. The market experiences steady growth due to the wide range of applications and consumption.

One of the main markets for rock salt is the chemical industry, especially the chlor-alkali sector. The need for rock salt is rising significantly due to the expansion of the chemical manufacturing sector, particularly in Asia-Pacific. De-icing roads with rock salt is common, particularly in North America and Europe. The advantages of rock salt as an affordable de-icer drive the market growth. As more rock salt is used for winter road maintenance, the market for rock salt in North America is predicted to expand quickly. The need for rock salt for flavoring, seasoning, and food product preservation is largely driven by the food sector. Technological advancements in the techniques used to produce rock salt are increasing productivity and propelling market expansion. To adapt to changing consumer demands, businesses are concentrating on product innovation. Increased demand from the food, chemical, de-icing, and traditional medicine industries, coupled with technological advancements, is expected to propel the rock salt market toward significant growth.

Benefits of Rock Salt and Expanding Food and Medicinal Usage to Drive Market Growth

Households and commercial consumption of rock salt are fueled by the health benefits delivered by it. It includes improved digestion and boosted immunity, stable blood pressure, enhanced skin health, better digestive health, and relieved stress are some of the other benefits of rock salt, especially black salt. These fuel the rock salt market growth across the globe. Furthermore, rock salt is majorly used in alternative medicine due to its curative properties and value addition when mixed with different herbs.

In the rising food industry including veg and non-veg food items being processed through salt and other herbs, the usage of rock salt has been prominent.Each meat has a certain percentage of a particular type of rock salt used to flavor it. This kind of seasoning helps enhance the natural juice content and the flavor of food especially when meat is roasted.

Chlorine in salt is used by skincare as a tanning solution to soften and heal tissues. Another factor boosting the need for rock salt is the food industry, which utilizes it to flavor meats, cereals, snacks, and other goods. Due to its high mineral content, ability to aid in digestion, and ability to treat digestive disorders and laxatives, it is widely utilized in medicine. Companies across the globe introduce their special salt for higher digestion and lower impact of sodium.

For instance, in April 2022, Indian brand Tata Salt extended its low sodium salt portfolio with India’s first-ever 30% low sodium salt, Tata Salt SuperLite. To provide an option for those who are advised to limit their intake of sodium, the product is particularly manufactured with 30% less sodium than refined iodized salt. It is the brand's second premium low-sodium product, the first is Tata Salt Lite, which contains 15% less salt.

Wide Range of Applications, Including Water Treatment Plants, to Boost Market Growth

Apart from household or residential consumption, the commercial consumption of rock salt adds value to the market. Usage of rock salt as an ingredient creates chlorine in the fabric and tanning industrial sectors for whitening and coloring materials. Consequently, countries in Asia-Pacific require a lot of rock salt due to the growing population and expanding food and beverage businesses. Additionally, the removal of impurities and minerals from water is done by rock salt in water treatment processes. Its consumption as a water cleaner across the globe has increased, especially where the demand for clean drinking water is growing. Major water treatment equipment companies draw solutions using salt for water treatment and softening solutions. For instance, 3M Company offers fully automatic water softener that converts hard water into soft water. It is a quiet water softener for the entire family that requires little upkeep. To reduce the need for frequent salt refills, the softeners have large capacity salt storage.

Rock salt is used to produce chlorine and caustic soda through the electrolysis of salt brine. Chlorine is an effective disinfectant used to treat drinking water and swimming pools. Caustic soda is used in water demineralization and pH correction in wastewater treatment. Rock salt can also be used as a water softener in household water softening systems. The rock salt dissolves rapidly and uniformly to remove minerals from hard water. Furthermore, it is used in the textile, leather, and paper industries as a raw material to produce chemicals such as sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. These chemicals have various applications in textile processing.

Food Grade Rock Salt to Dominate the Market with Higher Consumption

Food-grade rock salt holds a decent share of the global rock salt market. Rock salt, fit for food use is extensively refined, cleaned, and devoid of minerals and contaminants. Due to it, rock salt can be used in food preparation and for human consumption. The demand for food and processed food products that employ food-grade salt as a preservative and taste enhancer is rising due to the world's population growth.

Convenience and ready-to-eat foods that use food-grade salt as an ingredient are becoming more popular in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. To improve public health, iodized food-grade salt is gaining more demand due to the rising prevalence of iodine shortage, particularly in Africa. With the demand for bakeries growing in North America and Europe, food-grade salt is necessary to preserve the consistency and texture of numerous dairy products, including cheese and bread. The higher popularity of pink salt in Western nations for its health benefits such as easy digestion and anti-toxin properties are expected to propel the market growth.

For instance, in March 2024, Food solutions company, Cargill Inc. unveiled additions to its ingredients portfolio with the addition of Himalayan pink salt. The company showcased its latest ingredient solution portfolio at Expo West event in California, the United States.

Asia-Pacific leads the Global Rock Salt Market Share

Asia-Pacific leads with a booming population, higher consumption, and a wide application range, dominating the global market share. During the forecast period, the rock salt market is anticipated to grow as a result of expansions in the chlor-alkali sector and a rise in the number of water treatment facilities in Asia-Pacific. In Asia-Pacific, nations including South Korea, Japan, and India are important producers and consumers of rock salt. The region's high salt consumption rate and sizable population both support the overall expansion of the rock salt industry in Asia-Pacific. Rock salt production in many Asian countries is made easier by abundant raw resources, such as coastal waters and saline lakes.

For instance, in August 2022, Indian brand Mishtann Foods Ltd. launched Himalayan pink rock salt across Indian markets. The company has a wide network of more than 70,000 distributors/retailers all over India.

Future Market Scenario (2024 – 2031)

Increased consumption of rock salt with the expanding food industry across the globe is likely to increase the global rock salt market size.

A higher number of water treatment plants adopting salt-based purification and softening methods are anticipated to propel the global market growth.

The rising popularity of pink salt, Himalayan salt along with its usage in medicine is projected to fuel the market growth.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Key players in the global rock salt market operate on large-scale production facilities and maintain extensive distribution networks to supply their products to various industries and consumers. Key players focus on producing organic and high-sodium value rock salts, while some brands launch their low-sodium salts. The competitive landscape promotes different market trends including the craze for Himalayan pink salt and black salt. Furthermore, companies participate in joint ventures, product launches, acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations.

For instance, in January 2024, Leichhardt Industrials Group (Leichhardt) and Dampier Salt(Rio Tinto Group)reached a sales deal for the Lake MacLeod salt and gypsum plant in Carnarvon, Western Australia, for USD 251 million. It is anticipated that these commercial and regulatory requirements will be met by the end of 2024.