Jan-June 2007 US salt sales jump 30+% on deicing demand surge
Making up for the mild second half of the winter of 2005-2006, US highway salt sales roared back to 10.9 million tons in the first half of 2007, up 62.5% from January-June 2006. Revenues grew even faster: 85.1%.
Overall, US salt sales for the six months increased to 16.3 million tons, up 37.4%, and revenues grew 30.4% to $832 million.
All of the increase was in rock sales to keep the nation's highways safe and passable. Rock salt sales climbed 57.2% and associated revenues by 76.4%. In contrast, evaporated salt sales were absolutely flat (they fell 1,000 tons from 2.106 million to 2.105 million tons). Solar salt managed a 9.3% tonnage increase. Revenues rose for both: evap sales advancing 8.8% and solar sales by 14.1%.
The only market decline was water softening tonnage which slipped 9% to 1.57 million tons. Chemicals salt sales reversed a prolonged slide, gaining 18.4% to 941,000 tons. Salt for human and animal consumption rose, respectively by 2.6% and 3.4% (790,000 tons of food salt and 802,000 tons of ag salt).
The Salt Instiutute has been reporting salt industry sales statistics since 1977.
No need to wait for Gen. Petreaus' report in September. THIS surge IS working.
