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Industrial Salt Market Dynamics Report – Recent Commodity Market Intelligence

I. Price Index Movement
- Overall Trend: In July 2025, the Xinhua–China Salt Two-Alkali Industrial Salt Price Index stood at 994.31 points, down by 8.53 points (–0.85%) from the previous period (June 2025); down by 5.69 points (–0.57%) compared to the base period (January 2018); down by 742.35 points (–42.75%) from the cycle high of 1,736.66 points (April 2022); and up by 178.11 points (+21.82%) from the cycle low of 816.2 points (August 2020).
- Regional Variations:
- Regions with Price Increases: Ex-factory prices for two-alkali industrial salt rose month-on-month in Anhui, Jiangsu, Chongqing, and Yunnan.
- Regions with Stable Prices: Ex-factory prices remained unchanged in Hubei and Sichuan.
- Regions with Price Declines: Ex-factory prices fell month-on-month in Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Henan, Xinjiang, Hebei, Shandong, Hunan, Qinghai, Liaoning, Tianjin, and other provinces/municipalities.
- Price Range Distribution:
- Regions with Unit Prices ≥ RMB 300/ton: Henan, Yunnan, Liaoning.
- Regions with Unit Prices < RMB 300/ton: Shaanxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, Jiangxi, Chongqing, Xinjiang, Hebei, Shandong, Hunan, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Tianjin.

II. Market Supply and Demand Conditions
- Supply Side:
- Crude Salt Market: In July 2025, domestic crude salt supply remained relatively ample. However, production of sea salt slowed in some producing areas due to flood-season rainfall; market-traded salt was largely drawn from prior inventory. The well-and rock-salt market maintained its prevailing trading environment—although localized equipment maintenance occurred, nationwide operations remained stable overall. The lake-salt market continued implementing a “production-to-demand” strategy, effectively optimizing inventory management by adjusting output pacing.
- Imported Salt Market: Driven by localized domestic supply tightness and price advantages, import volumes arriving at ports increased month-on-month. Some enterprises secured low-cost supplies via long-term contracts, thereby reducing their own production costs and partially alleviating regional supply pressure.
- Demand Side:
- Downstream Two-Alkali Enterprises: Entering the seasonal maintenance period, plant operating rates declined month-on-month, leading to weaker regional procurement demand. Nevertheless, as the National Day holiday approaches, downstream enterprises’ pre-holiday salt stocking demand has risen, accelerating transaction pace in the crude salt market.
- Soda Ash Market: On the supply side, multiple soda ash producers completed maintenance and resumed operations orderly, steadily increasing industry capacity and further enhancing supply reliability. On the demand side, heavy soda ash demand remained stable with slight decline, while light soda ash demand continued falling. Yet, improved macroeconomic expectations have warmed downstream trading sentiment, and stronger soda ash futures prices have boosted spot market confidence—resulting in a modest increase in monthly order volume from alkali plants.
- Liquid Caustic Soda Market: On the supply side, the vast majority of operating facilities maintained high-load operation; only a few enterprises carried out scheduled equipment shutdowns for maintenance. On the demand side, alumina industry operations remained smooth and demand stable; although printing & dyeing and papermaking sectors are in their traditional off-season, baseline procurement remained steady. Additionally, robust external demand—driven by sustained growth in international market requirements—has increased domestic liquid caustic soda exports.
- Flake Caustic Soda Market: Overall supply remained sufficient, with relatively moderate trading activity. In Northwest China, some flake caustic soda producers reduced operational loads due to conversion to liquid caustic soda production or scheduled facility maintenance. In North China, previously idled flake caustic soda plants have gradually resumed production, lifting operating rates and boosting output. Flake caustic soda facilities in Southwest and East China operated stably, while South China relied mainly on northern inter-regional shipments, ensuring normal market circulation.

III. Policy and Industry Developments
- Policy Environment: The policy environment continues improving, delivering positive signals for the salt chemical sector. Notably, advancement of policies such as those targeting “anti-cutthroat competition” has fostered a healthier development landscape for the salt chemical industry, effectively bolstering procurement confidence among downstream users.
- Industry Developments:
- Capacity Expansion: According to Longzhong Information, national industrial salt new capacity additions between 2026 and 2030 are projected at approximately 14.1 million tons. Downstream chlor-alkali and soda ash enterprises also have clear expansion plans: cumulative chlor-alkali capacity additions are expected to reach 7.8 million tons, translating to an estimated incremental crude salt consumption of 12 million tons; cumulative soda ash capacity additions are projected at 11.1 million tons.
- Green Transformation: The industry is actively exploring green transformation and high-value utilization pathways. For example, Qinyuan Economic Development Zone signed an agreement with Zhongke Nano Industry Group to build a project for producing new-energy materials from industrial by-product salts and low-grade sulfur resources. Utilizing advanced processes, the project will produce refined industrial salt and extend into lithium-ion battery–grade sulfate and sodium-ion battery precursors.

Analysis and Outlook
- Short-Term Analysis:
- Price Trends: Influenced by widespread downward adjustments in tender prices from certain downstream alkali producers, market performance varied significantly across regions. Sea salt markets are expected to remain range-bound and volatile in the near term, while well-and rock-salt and lake-salt markets stay comparatively stable. Liquid caustic soda markets—supported by structural domestic demand differentiation and strong export momentum—are anticipated to maintain a steady upward trend; flake caustic soda markets, characterized by ample supply, will likely see relatively mild trading activity.
- Supply-Demand Balance: With the approaching traditional peak season (“Golden September & Silver October”), the market may witness a short-term restocking surge. However, considering the broader macroeconomic context and current status of downstream industries, the overall supply-demand relationship remains balanced—with localized imbalances (tightness or surplus) possible in certain regions.
- Long-Term Outlook:
- Capacity and Demand: Over the next five years, China’s industrial salt market will experience dual growth in both supply and demand. New capacity deployment will enhance supply capabilities, while rapid downstream industry development will sustain demand expansion.
- Price Trend: From 2026 to 2030, China’s crude salt market prices are projected to follow a “rise-then-fall” trajectory. During the initial phase of capacity ramp-up, relative supply tightness may push prices upward; however, as new capacity progressively comes online and competition intensifies, pricing pressure is likely to mount.
- Industry Transformation: Strengthened environmental regulations and accelerated green transition efforts will drive the industrial salt industry toward higher value-added and greener development. Emerging application scenarios—including new-energy materials—will open fresh growth avenues for the sector.