Analysis of the operation of my country's raw salt market in the first half of 2022

1.
The production capacity increased steadily and slightly, and the output decreased

In the first half of 2022, the production capacity of China's raw salt industry will increase by 400,000 tons, and the total production capacity will reach 126.
2 million tons.
The new production capacity is concentrated in East China
.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that from January to May, the cumulative output of raw salt in China was 18.
325 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 2.
5%
.

2.
Foreign trade imports increase and exports decrease

In the first half of the year, China's raw salt imports increased significantly.
From January to May, China's total imports of raw salt were 3.
5582 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 46.
37%.
The main importing regions were India, Mexico, and Australia, accounting for 56.
61%, 25.
32%, 17.
72%
.
From January to May, China's total export of raw salt was 179,900 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 37.
28%.
The main export areas were Japan, South Korea and Vietnam, accounting for 66.
35%, 12.
77% and 7.
27% of the total export volume respectively
.

3.
The volume and price of coal and natural gas have both increased, and the cost of mine salt is relatively supported

From January to May, the cumulative output of coal in China was 1.
814 billion tons, a year-on-year increase of 10.
4%
.
From January to May, the cumulative output of natural gas in China was 92.
35 billion cubic meters, a year-on-year increase of 5.
8%.
In the first half of the year, domestic coal and natural gas prices remained at a relatively high level, which formed a good support for the production cost of well mine salt
.

4.
The main downstream two alkali industries are operating at a relatively high level, and the demand for raw salt is normal

From January to May, the cumulative output of caustic soda in China was 16.
304 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 0.
9%, and the operating load of industrial installations was 86%
.
In the first half of the year, the operating rate of the downstream two alkali industries was at a relatively high level, and the demand for raw salt was sufficient
.

5.
The raw salt market continues to fluctuate and decline

 In the first half of 2022, China's raw salt market continued to fluctuate and decline.
At the end of June, the mainstream ex-factory price of industrial salt in major production areas across the country was 374 yuan/ton, down 90 yuan/ton from the end of last year, a drop of 19.
4%.
458 yuan / ton, down 97 yuan / ton from the end of last year, a decrease of 17.
5%
.

In terms of production, the energy-saving renovation of China's mine and salt enterprises continued, the production capacity increased and decreased, and the overall net growth was maintained
.
This year, the production of sea salt spring grilled has a stable start, and the production and sales have remained smooth.
However, the flood season in the main producing areas is ahead of schedule, and the output of salt enterprises in some areas may decrease in the later stage of spring grilled
.
In the lake salt area, production is determined by sales, and some new downstream production capacity has been released one after another, and the output of lake salt tends to increase
.

On the downstream side, in the first half of 2022, China's caustic soda market showed a slight upward trend as a whole.
At the end of June, the national average price of 32% liquid caustic soda was 1,382 yuan/ton, an increase of 256 yuan/ton or 22.
7% from the end of last year
.
In the first half of the year, China's soda ash market continued to fluctuate and rise.
At the end of June, the national average price of light soda ash was 2,886 yuan/ton, an increase of 407 yuan/ton or 16.
4% from the end of last year; the average price of heavy soda ash was 2,950 yuan/ton, compared with the end of last year.
Up 271 yuan / ton, or 10.
1%
.
On the whole, in the first half of the year, the operation of the domestic two alkali markets showed a steady upward trend, and the industry started at a high level, which formed a certain support for the domestic raw salt market
.

In terms of foreign trade, the amount of raw salt imported by China from India, Mexico and other places has increased.
From January to May, the amount of raw salt imported from some countries has exceeded the level of last year.
The raw salt market in some coastal areas is supplemented by foreign sources, and the overall supply of raw salt in China's raw salt market is sufficient
.