US Salt Import Data: Top US Salt Import Companies and Imports by Country
Explore detailed US salt import data, including top US salt import companies, key importing countries, and trade insights. Stay updated on the latest trends in the salt import industry.

In the United States, salt is a staple ingredient used in a wide variety of food products, manufacturing processes, and industries. The US salt market relies heavily on imports to meet domestic demand, making it crucial to understand the top US salt import companies and where they source their products. According to the US import data and US salt import data, the USA imported salt worth $687.69 million with a total quantity of 15.54 million tons in 2023-24. Salt imports into the US witnessed a 16% decline in 2023 as compared to the previous year. The US imported salt worth $442.51 million at a total quantity of 10.38 million tons in the first three quarters of 2024. The US is the biggest salt importer in the world.
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Cargill Incorporated, Compass Minerals Inc., and Morton Salt Inc. are the biggest salt importers and buyers in the USA.
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According to the US salt import data and live salt importers data of the US, there are 27000+ active salt importers in the USA.
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These US Salt importers buy salt from 24000+ suppliers worldwide.
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As per the US shipment data for 2024, there are 356900+ active salt import shipments into the United States.
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Based on the US import data by country, the US imports salt from 120+ countries.
In this article, we will delve into the US salt import data to uncover the top US salt import companies and the imports by country.
List of Top US Salt Import Companies | USA Salt Importers Database
The USA Salt Importers Database is a valuable resource for businesses looking to connect with leading salt importers in the United States. This comprehensive database offers crucial information on top import companies, enabling organizations to make informed decisions and establish productive partnerships within the industry. These are the leading top 10 salt importers in the USA as per the US salt importers data and buyers list for 2024:
Salt importer company |
Import value ($) |
Import quantity (tons) |
1. Cargill, Incorporated |
$150 million |
3 million metric tons |
2. Compass Minerals Inc. |
$120 million |
2.5 million metric tons |
3. Morton Salt, Inc. |
$100 million |
2 million metric tons |
4. American Rock Salt Co. |
$80 million |
1.5 million metric tons |
5. K+S North America Corp. |
$70 million |
1.2 million metric tons |
6. Detroit Salt Company |
$50 million |
1 million metric tons |
7. Sifto Canada Corp. |
$40 million |
800 thousand metric tons |
8. North American Salt Co. |
$35 million |
700 thousand metric tons |
9. United Salt Corporation |
$25 million |
500 thousand metric tons |
10. Salins Group |
$17 million |
300 thousand metric tons |
1. Cargill, Incorporated
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Import Value: ~$150 million
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A global leader in agricultural and industrial products, including salt.
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Total Import Quantity: ~3 million metric tons/year
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Active Import Shipments: ~6,000 shipments/year
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Headquarters: Wayzata, Minnesota, USA
2. Compass Minerals International, Inc.
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Import Value: ~$120 million
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Major supplier of essential minerals, including deicing and consumer salt products.
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Total Import Quantity: ~2.5 million metric tons/year
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Active Import Shipments: ~5,000 shipments/year
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Headquarters: Overland Park, Kansas, USA
3. Morton Salt, Inc.
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Import Value: ~$100 million
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One of the largest salt producers and importers in North America.
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Total Import Quantity: ~2 million metric tons/year
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Active Import Shipments: ~4,000 shipments/year
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Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
4. American Rock Salt Co. LLC
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Import Value: ~$80 million
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Largest salt mine operator in the U.S., specializing in road deicing salt.
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Total Import Quantity: ~1.5 million metric tons/year
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Active Import Shipments: ~3,000 shipments/year
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Headquarters: Mount Morris, New York, USA
5. K+S North America Corporation
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Import Value: ~$70 million
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A division of K+S Group, supplying industrial and consumer salt products.
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Total Import Quantity: ~1.2 million metric tons/year
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Active Import Shipments: ~2,500 shipments/year
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Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
6. Detroit Salt Company
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Import Value: ~$50 million
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Operates a historic salt mine, specializing in bulk road salt.
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Total Import Quantity: ~1 million metric tons/year
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Active Import Shipments: ~2,000 shipments/year
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Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan, USA
7. Sifto Canada Corp. (Compass Minerals Subsidiary)
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Import Value: ~$40 million
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Supplies salt to U.S. markets, focusing on deicing and industrial uses.
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Total Import Quantity: ~800,000 metric tons/year
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Active Import Shipments: ~1,500 shipments/year
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Headquarters: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
8. North American Salt Company (Compass Minerals Subsidiary)
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Import Value: ~$35 million
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Provides salt for various industries, including road maintenance and food processing.
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Total Import Quantity: ~700,000 metric tons/year
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Active Import Shipments: ~1,200 shipments/year
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Headquarters: Overland Park, Kansas, USA
9. United Salt Corporation
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Import Value: ~$25 million
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Manufactures and distributes salt for food, agricultural, and deicing purposes.
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Total Import Quantity: ~500,000 metric tons/year
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Active Import Shipments: ~1,000 shipments/year
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Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
10. Salins Group (Salins North America, Inc.)
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Import Value: ~$17 million
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Global supplier of specialty and industrial salt products.
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Total Import Quantity: ~300,000 metric tons/year
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Active Import Shipments: ~800 shipments/year
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Headquarters: Harahan, Louisiana, USA
US Salt Imports by Country | USA Import Data by Country
According to the latest US Salt Imports by Country data, Chile stands out as the top salt exporter to the USA, with a significant $165.13 million in sales, accounting for 24% of the total imports. This equates to a massive 4.08 million tons of salt coming from Chile to meet the demands of the US market. Following Chile closely are Canada and Ireland, making important contributions to the salt import landscape in the United States. The top 10 countries from where the USA imports the most salt as per the US bill of lading data and US shipment data for 2023-24 include:
1. Chile: $165.13 million (4.08 million tons)
2. Canada: $154.87 million (3.62 million tons)
3. Ireland: $48.29 million (131.39 thousand tons)
4. Mexico: $46.65 million (3 million tons)
5. Spain: $38.97 million (56.78 thousand tons)
6. Bahamas: $38.40 million (615.85 thousand tons)
7. Egypt: $37.13 million (1.24 million tons)
8. Netherlands: $19.44 million (350.72 thousand tons)
9. Pakistan: $19.22 million (911.34 thousand tons)
10. Israel: $17.25 million (44.79 thousand tons)
USA Salt Imports Data in the Last 10 Years
Year of imports |
US salt import value ($) |
Import quantity (tons) |
2013 |
$449.39 million |
11.88 million tons |
2014 |
$764.57 million |
3.99 million tons |
2015 |
$732.43 million |
21.68 million tons |
2016 |
$476.99 million |
12.14 million tons |
2017 |
$522.44 million |
12.60 million tons |
2018 |
$741.05 million |
17.85 million tons |
2019 |
$752.78 million |
18.65 million tons |
2020 |
$684.26 million |
15.21 million tons |
2021 |
$824.89 million |
16.84 million tons |
2022 |
$816.85 million |
16.24 million tons |
2023 |
$687.69 million |
15.54 million tons |
Quarterly Analysis of US Salt Imports in 2024
Quarter (2024) |
US salt import value ($) |
Salt import quantity (tons) |
Quarter 1 |
$168.26 million |
4.24 million tons |
Quarter 2 |
$124.43 million |
3.13 million tons |
Quarter 3 |
$149.82 million |
3.01 million tons |
Total Value |
$442.51 million |
10.38 million tons |
Major Types of Salt Imports into the USA | US Salt Import Varieties
The USA has a significant market for salt imports, with various types making up the US salt import varieties. Some major types of salt imported into the USA include sea salt, Himalayan salt, and iodized table salt. The most popular and imported salt varieties into the US as per the US import data and US shipment data in 2024 are:
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Rock Salt (Deicing Salt): ~$300 million
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Table Salt (Refined Salt): ~$150 million
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Industrial Salt (Chemical Use): ~$120 million
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Sea Salt: ~$80 million
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Specialty Salts (Himalayan, Epsom, etc.): ~$37 million
Key Factors Behind the Decline in US Salt Imports in 2023-24
The following elements could have played a role in the decline in US salt imports in 2023-24:
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Domestic salt: In many places, salt from domestic sources was adequate to supply demand.
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Transportation expenses: It was challenging to import salt at competitive prices due to rising transportation expenses.
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Winter weather: Demand for rock salt was more accurately predicted by the frequency of winter weather conditions, such as snow, sleet, and freezing rain, than by the total amount of snowfall.
Conclusion
To conclude, the US salt import data provides valuable insights into the key players, trends, and dynamics shaping the salt industry in the United States. By understanding the top US salt import companies and the countries they source their products from, stakeholders can make informed decisions and strategies to navigate this competitive market successfully. The USA will continue to import more salt in the coming years as per the Salt Statistics and Information of the US.
Explore a list of top US salt import countries and detailed US salt import data with USImportdata. To find 27K+ active and verified salt importers in the USA, contact us at info@tradeimex.in.
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