GITNUXREPORT 2026

Salt Statistics

Global salt production and consumption figures show surprisingly widespread and varied uses.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Sodium chloride is 39.34% sodium by weight.

Statistic 2

Salt has a melting point of 800.7°C (1,473°F).

Statistic 3

Table salt density is 2.17 g/cm³.

Statistic 4

NaCl solubility in water is 360 g/L at 25°C.

Statistic 5

Salt crystal structure is face-centered cubic.

Statistic 6

NaCl molecular weight is 58.44 g/mol.

Statistic 7

Salt boiling point is 1,413°C (2,575°F).

Statistic 8

Refractive index of salt is 1.544.

Statistic 9

NaCl pH in saturated solution is 6.7-7.3.

Statistic 10

Salt hardness on Mohs scale is 2.5.

Statistic 11

Thermal conductivity of NaCl is 6.2 W/(m·K).

Statistic 12

NaCl lattice energy is 787.3 kJ/mol.

Statistic 13

Salt vapor pressure at 800°C is 1 kPa.

Statistic 14

NaCl hydration energy is -784 kJ/mol.

Statistic 15

Coefficient of thermal expansion for NaCl is 40 × 10^-6 /K.

Statistic 16

Salt dielectric constant is 5.3 at 25°C.

Statistic 17

NaCl specific heat capacity is 0.864 J/g·K.

Statistic 18

Electrical conductivity of molten NaCl is 2.19 S/cm.

Statistic 19

Salt cleavage is perfect cubic {100}.

Statistic 20

NaCl magnetic susceptibility is -30.2 × 10^-6 cm³/mol.

Statistic 21

Bulk modulus of salt is 24.82 GPa.

Statistic 22

Average global per capita salt consumption is 10 grams per day.

Statistic 23

U.S. annual salt consumption per person is 8.6 kg for food use.

Statistic 24

World salt demand for deicing roads is 20% of total.

Statistic 25

Chemical industry consumes 55% of global salt production.

Statistic 26

Food processing uses 17% of world salt output.

Statistic 27

U.S. salt consumption totaled 50 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 28

Processed foods contribute 75% of sodium intake in diets.

Statistic 29

Global water softener salt demand is 5 million tons annually.

Statistic 30

Household salt use in Europe averages 4 grams per day per person.

Statistic 31

U.S. deicing salt use peaked at 25 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 32

Chlor-alkali process consumes 60 million tons of salt yearly.

Statistic 33

India salt consumption for food is 20 grams per capita daily.

Statistic 34

Global salt market size was $28 billion in 2022.

Statistic 35

U.S. consumers buy 5.5 million tons of table salt annually.

Statistic 36

Animal feed salt demand is 2% of total production.

Statistic 37

China salt consumption for highways is 10 million tons yearly.

Statistic 38

Bread and bakery products use 1.5% of salt in recipes.

Statistic 39

Global meat processing salt use is 8 million tons per year.

Statistic 40

U.S. salt use in oil and gas drilling is 1 million tons annually.

Statistic 41

Dairy industry consumes 3 million tons of salt globally.

Statistic 42

Soup and sauce categories have 1,200 mg sodium per serving average.

Statistic 43

WHO recommends less than 5 grams salt per day per adult.

Statistic 44

U.S. average sodium intake is 3,400 mg per day.

Statistic 45

High salt intake causes 1.89 million deaths yearly worldwide.

Statistic 46

Reducing salt by 30% could save 7 million lives by 2030.

Statistic 47

U.S. salt market valued at $3.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 48

Global salt trade volume was 60 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 49

Average salt price was $40 per metric ton in 2022.

Statistic 50

U.S. salt industry employs 20,000 workers.

Statistic 51

Chlorine production from salt generates $50 billion revenue.

Statistic 52

Road salt market size is $2.5 billion globally.

Statistic 53

Salt exports from India reached $100 million in 2022.

Statistic 54

U.S. industrial salt sales $1.1 billion in 2022.

Statistic 55

Soda ash from salt process worth $18 billion yearly.

Statistic 56

Water treatment salt market $1.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 57

Food grade salt segment holds 25% market share.

Statistic 58

Asia-Pacific dominates 60% of global salt production value.

Statistic 59

U.S. imports 10 million tons of salt annually valued $400M.

Statistic 60

Salt in PVC production contributes $10 billion economy.

Statistic 61

Pharmaceutical salt uses market $1.2 billion.

Statistic 62

Deicing salt price averaged $55/ton in Northeast U.S.

Statistic 63

Global salt CAGR projected at 3.2% to 2030.

Statistic 64

EU salt production value €2.5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 65

Solar salt export from Australia $300 million yearly.

Statistic 66

U.S. table salt retail sales $1 billion annually.

Statistic 67

WHO guideline for adult salt intake is <2,000 mg sodium/day.

Statistic 68

Excess salt raises blood pressure by 2.11/0.72 mmHg per gram.

Statistic 69

High sodium diet increases stroke risk by 23%.

Statistic 70

Salt sensitivity affects 51% of hypertensives.

Statistic 71

Daily salt intake >10g doubles gastric cancer risk.

Statistic 72

Low salt intake reduces CVD mortality by 25%.

Statistic 73

Iodized salt prevents 1.5 million IQ point losses yearly.

Statistic 74

90% of Americans exceed 2,300 mg sodium RDA.

Statistic 75

Salt reduction lowers heart failure risk by 15%.

Statistic 76

Osteoporosis risk increases 10% per 10g salt/day.

Statistic 77

High salt promotes kidney stones by 30%.

Statistic 78

Meniere's disease worsened by >2g sodium/day.

Statistic 79

Salt intake >6g/day raises dementia risk 15%.

Statistic 80

1g salt reduction saves $10-12 billion in health costs.

Statistic 81

Edema in pregnancy linked to >7g salt/day.

Statistic 82

Autoimmune diseases like MS correlate with high salt.

Statistic 83

Salt accelerates skin aging by 25% in high consumers.

Statistic 84

RDA for sodium is 1,500 mg for adults over 50.

Statistic 85

Potassium mitigates salt's BP effect by 50%.

Statistic 86

Global average salt intake is 9-12 grams per day.

Statistic 87

Global salt production reached 302 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 88

The United States produced 42 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 89

China led world salt production with 69 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 90

India produced 31 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 91

Germany produced 14 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 92

Australia produced 12 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 93

World salt reserves are estimated at over 3.2 trillion metric tons.

Statistic 94

The U.S. has salt reserves of about 85 billion metric tons.

Statistic 95

Evaporated salt production in the U.S. was 25 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 96

Rock salt production in the U.S. reached 15 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 97

Solar salt production in the U.S. was 2 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 98

U.S. salt reserves in underground mines total 12 billion tons.

Statistic 99

Global salt production grew by 2.5% from 2021 to 2022.

Statistic 100

Mexico produced 10 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 101

Netherlands produced 6 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 102

U.S. salt production from brine was 28 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 103

Canada produced 9 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 104

Brazil produced 7 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 105

World salt production in 2019 was 295 million metric tons.

Statistic 106

U.S. ranked second globally in salt production in 2022.

Statistic 107

Turkey produced 8 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 108

United Kingdom produced 5 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 109

Salt reserves in the Dead Sea exceed 1.2 billion tons.

Statistic 110

Great Salt Lake holds about 4.5 billion tons of salt.

Statistic 111

U.S. vacuum pan salt production was 6 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 112

Global salt mine production accounts for 40% of total output.

Statistic 113

Argentina produced 3 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 114

Spain produced 4 million metric tons of salt in 2022.

Statistic 115

U.S. salt exports were 8 million tons in 2022.

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Hidden in plain sight on every table, the staggering scale of the global salt industry—producing over 300 million metric tons annually—reveals a substance far more vital and complex than a simple seasoning.

Key Takeaways

Global salt production reached 302 million metric tons in 2022.
The United States produced 42 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
China led world salt production with 69 million metric tons in 2022.
Average global per capita salt consumption is 10 grams per day.
U.S. annual salt consumption per person is 8.6 kg for food use.
World salt demand for deicing roads is 20% of total.
Sodium chloride is 39.34% sodium by weight.
Salt has a melting point of 800.7°C (1,473°F).
Table salt density is 2.17 g/cm³.
WHO guideline for adult salt intake is <2,000 mg sodium/day.
Excess salt raises blood pressure by 2.11/0.72 mmHg per gram.
High sodium diet increases stroke risk by 23%.
U.S. salt market valued at $3.2 billion in 2022.
Global salt trade volume was 60 million tons in 2022.
Average salt price was $40 per metric ton in 2022.

Global salt production and consumption figures show surprisingly widespread and varied uses.

Chemical and Physical Properties

Sodium chloride is 39.34% sodium by weight.
Salt has a melting point of 800.7°C (1,473°F).
Table salt density is 2.17 g/cm³.
NaCl solubility in water is 360 g/L at 25°C.
Salt crystal structure is face-centered cubic.
NaCl molecular weight is 58.44 g/mol.
Salt boiling point is 1,413°C (2,575°F).
Refractive index of salt is 1.544.
NaCl pH in saturated solution is 6.7-7.3.
Salt hardness on Mohs scale is 2.5.
Thermal conductivity of NaCl is 6.2 W/(m·K).
NaCl lattice energy is 787.3 kJ/mol.
Salt vapor pressure at 800°C is 1 kPa.
NaCl hydration energy is -784 kJ/mol.
Coefficient of thermal expansion for NaCl is 40 × 10^-6 /K.
Salt dielectric constant is 5.3 at 25°C.
NaCl specific heat capacity is 0.864 J/g·K.
Electrical conductivity of molten NaCl is 2.19 S/cm.
Salt cleavage is perfect cubic {100}.
NaCl magnetic susceptibility is -30.2 × 10^-6 cm³/mol.
Bulk modulus of salt is 24.82 GPa.

Chemical and Physical Properties Interpretation

Salt, with its cubic soul and steadfast 800-degree melting point, is deceptively simple, being at once a fragile, water-hungry crystal and a thermally stubborn, electrically conductive cornerstone of chemistry.

Consumption and Demand

Average global per capita salt consumption is 10 grams per day.
U.S. annual salt consumption per person is 8.6 kg for food use.
World salt demand for deicing roads is 20% of total.
Chemical industry consumes 55% of global salt production.
Food processing uses 17% of world salt output.
U.S. salt consumption totaled 50 million tons in 2022.
Processed foods contribute 75% of sodium intake in diets.
Global water softener salt demand is 5 million tons annually.
Household salt use in Europe averages 4 grams per day per person.
U.S. deicing salt use peaked at 25 million tons in 2022.
Chlor-alkali process consumes 60 million tons of salt yearly.
India salt consumption for food is 20 grams per capita daily.
Global salt market size was $28 billion in 2022.
U.S. consumers buy 5.5 million tons of table salt annually.
Animal feed salt demand is 2% of total production.
China salt consumption for highways is 10 million tons yearly.
Bread and bakery products use 1.5% of salt in recipes.
Global meat processing salt use is 8 million tons per year.
U.S. salt use in oil and gas drilling is 1 million tons annually.
Dairy industry consumes 3 million tons of salt globally.
Soup and sauce categories have 1,200 mg sodium per serving average.
WHO recommends less than 5 grams salt per day per adult.
U.S. average sodium intake is 3,400 mg per day.
High salt intake causes 1.89 million deaths yearly worldwide.
Reducing salt by 30% could save 7 million lives by 2030.

Consumption and Demand Interpretation

We unwittingly bury ourselves in salt, as this essential crystal seasons our food, paves our roads, fuels our industries, and quietly seasons our own demise.

Economic and Industrial Uses

U.S. salt market valued at $3.2 billion in 2022.
Global salt trade volume was 60 million tons in 2022.
Average salt price was $40 per metric ton in 2022.
U.S. salt industry employs 20,000 workers.
Chlorine production from salt generates $50 billion revenue.
Road salt market size is $2.5 billion globally.
Salt exports from India reached $100 million in 2022.
U.S. industrial salt sales $1.1 billion in 2022.
Soda ash from salt process worth $18 billion yearly.
Water treatment salt market $1.8 billion in 2023.
Food grade salt segment holds 25% market share.
Asia-Pacific dominates 60% of global salt production value.
U.S. imports 10 million tons of salt annually valued $400M.
Salt in PVC production contributes $10 billion economy.
Pharmaceutical salt uses market $1.2 billion.
Deicing salt price averaged $55/ton in Northeast U.S.
Global salt CAGR projected at 3.2% to 2030.
EU salt production value €2.5 billion in 2022.
Solar salt export from Australia $300 million yearly.
U.S. table salt retail sales $1 billion annually.

Economic and Industrial Uses Interpretation

From the humble seasoning on our tables to the unseen industrial backbone of our economy, these statistics reveal that salt is not only essential for life but also a remarkably potent and multifaceted commodity, quietly generating billions and underpinning everything from our roads and water to our plastics and pharmaceuticals.

Health and Nutrition

WHO guideline for adult salt intake is <2,000 mg sodium/day.
Excess salt raises blood pressure by 2.11/0.72 mmHg per gram.
High sodium diet increases stroke risk by 23%.
Salt sensitivity affects 51% of hypertensives.
Daily salt intake >10g doubles gastric cancer risk.
Low salt intake reduces CVD mortality by 25%.
Iodized salt prevents 1.5 million IQ point losses yearly.
90% of Americans exceed 2,300 mg sodium RDA.
Salt reduction lowers heart failure risk by 15%.
Osteoporosis risk increases 10% per 10g salt/day.
High salt promotes kidney stones by 30%.
Meniere's disease worsened by >2g sodium/day.
Salt intake >6g/day raises dementia risk 15%.
1g salt reduction saves $10-12 billion in health costs.
Edema in pregnancy linked to >7g salt/day.
Autoimmune diseases like MS correlate with high salt.
Salt accelerates skin aging by 25% in high consumers.
RDA for sodium is 1,500 mg for adults over 50.
Potassium mitigates salt's BP effect by 50%.
Global average salt intake is 9-12 grams per day.

Health and Nutrition Interpretation

Given that a pinch of salt is all that's needed, it's frankly alarming that our global seasoning habit is essentially a slow-acting poison, quietly inflating blood pressure, hardening arteries, and pickling our brains at a cost of billions.

Production and Reserves

Global salt production reached 302 million metric tons in 2022.
The United States produced 42 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
China led world salt production with 69 million metric tons in 2022.
India produced 31 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
Germany produced 14 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
Australia produced 12 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
World salt reserves are estimated at over 3.2 trillion metric tons.
The U.S. has salt reserves of about 85 billion metric tons.
Evaporated salt production in the U.S. was 25 million tons in 2022.
Rock salt production in the U.S. reached 15 million tons in 2022.
Solar salt production in the U.S. was 2 million tons in 2022.
U.S. salt reserves in underground mines total 12 billion tons.
Global salt production grew by 2.5% from 2021 to 2022.
Mexico produced 10 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
Netherlands produced 6 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
U.S. salt production from brine was 28 million tons in 2022.
Canada produced 9 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
Brazil produced 7 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
World salt production in 2019 was 295 million metric tons.
U.S. ranked second globally in salt production in 2022.
Turkey produced 8 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
United Kingdom produced 5 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
Salt reserves in the Dead Sea exceed 1.2 billion tons.
Great Salt Lake holds about 4.5 billion tons of salt.
U.S. vacuum pan salt production was 6 million tons in 2022.
Global salt mine production accounts for 40% of total output.
Argentina produced 3 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
Spain produced 4 million metric tons of salt in 2022.
U.S. salt exports were 8 million tons in 2022.

Production and Reserves Interpretation

The world continues to heavily season its industries, with a pinch of geopolitical competition, as China led the global pantry by producing 69 million tons in 2022 while the U.S., a strong second, mined its vast underground reserves to keep the french fries and highways coming.

Sources & References

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