Salt exports from Mexico increased 26.9% in the first four months of 2025 to US$50.5 million.

As a preamble, on February 24, 2024, the government announced the full nationalization of Exportadora de Sal S.A. de C.V. (ESSA). Until then, the company was in the hands of the Mexican State (51%) and Mitsubishi Corporation (49%).

The transaction was valued at 1.5 billion pesos. To finance it, 75% of the financing was provided by the Fideicomiso de Fomento Minero, and 25% by the Servicio Geológico Mexicano (Mexican Geological Service).

The decision responds to a broader economic strategy. The government considers that ESSA plays a key role in the production and export of salt, both domestically and internationally.

Furthermore, its total control is aligned with the new policies of productive development and sovereignty over strategic resources.

With this measure, Mexico seeks to strengthen its presence in the global salt market and ensure control over one of the largest salt producers in the world.

Salt exports from Mexico 

Although producing salt has a relatively low cost, transportation and handling costs usually represent an important part of the final price.

Therefore, proximity to the customer becomes a competitive advantage. 

 Producers operating close to consumer markets have lower delivery costs and shorter lead times, allowing them to offer better service.

Here are salt exports from Mexico, in millions of dollars:

• 2018: 120.
• 2019: 137.
• 2020: 8.
• 2021: 165.
• 2022: 168.
• 2023: 163.
• 2024: 141.

International prices

Raw salt is born from the sun and a precise industrial process. Its origin is in the wastewater that remains after the production of bromine. Once this element is extracted, the remaining brine is pumped to surface ponds. There, sunlight plays its part. The water evaporates and what remains is a valuable residue: raw salt.

This resource plays a prominent role in several industries. It is mainly used for the manufacture of alkalis and chlorinated compounds, essential in chemical processes. But its scope goes beyond that.

It is also a frequent input in sectors such as food, beverages and multiple branches of heavy industry.

Because of its versatility and abundance, raw salt continues to be a strategic component in the global production chain.

Salt prices vary according to purity, end use, and variations in refining and packaging processes. Compass Minerals International estimates that U.S. salt prices have increased at a long-term historical average rate of approximately 3% to 4% per year, although there have been recent fluctuations above and below this average.