White Gold: Saudi Arabia's Salt Industry Reaches SAR 3.7 Billion In Market Value

The salt industry in Saudi Arabia is witnessing notable expansion, driven by initiatives from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. These initiatives include offering investment opportunities such as licenses for geological exploration and permits for operating salt production facilities. By mid-2025, 27 national factories, often referred to as producers of "white gold," have contributed raw salt valued at SAR3.7 billion.

Saudi Arabia's raw salt finds applications in industrial, pharmaceutical, and food sectors. It is exported both locally and internationally to countries like Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Somalia, Kuwait, Yemen, Greece, Djibouti, Oman, Qatar, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, and Indonesia. From 2024 through mid-2025, these exports surpassed a value of SAR18 million.

Natural salt deposits are abundant along the Arabian Gulf coast in the Eastern Region. This area stretches over 1,200 kilometers from Khafji in the north to Uqair in the south. The Ras Al-Qarya coastal marsh in Buqayq Governorate is among the oldest and most significant salt-producing sites. Located about four kilometers from the sea, it yields highly purified natural salt that surfaces naturally and reaches a depth of five meters underground.

Traditional methods are employed to extract sea salt during summer months. Rainwater and seawater are dried using sunlight in salt marshes to evaporate water and leave behind raw salt. This extracted salt is then packaged for distribution to local and international markets.

Diverse Sources of Salt

Besides sea salt extraction from marshes, Saudi Arabia also sources salt from sodium chloride-rich rocks like halite or rock salt. Additionally, natural ponds and mines contribute to the country's diverse methods of obtaining this essential mineral.

The growth of Saudi Arabia's salt industry highlights its strategic importance in both local and global markets. With ongoing support from government initiatives and increasing export activities, the sector continues to thrive.

With inputs from SPA