2008 salt sales set all-time record high
Sales of US dry salt last year set an all-time sales record: 34.2 million tons,, the Salt Institute reported today. The Salt Institute is a non-profit association representing the salt industry in the U.S. and globally.Salt industry revenues rose 15.6% to $1.937 billion, according to the Institute’s 2008 U.S. Salt Sales report. Figures exclude transportation costs.
Highway salt sales led the way with 22.2 million tons. Thus, three of the past four years have recorded three of the four biggest years in highway salt sales. Revenues for 2008 highway salt sales were $767 million compared to $586 million in 2007.
Among other major markets, salt for animal nutrition grew for the fourth year in the past five year after rather steady declines over the past decade, increasing 6% to 1.726 million tons. Chemical sales had reversed an historic descent last year and jumped 22% more to 2.566 million tons, the best year in the 21st century. Food salt sales eroded slightly: 1.524 million tons in 2008; 1.562 million in 2007. The only declining market was water softening salt which had its worst year since 2003, falling from 3.493 million tons in 2007 to 3.458 million in 2008.
Note: Data available