Gourmet Salts Market

Gourmet Salts Market Outlook (2023-2033)

The market for gourmet salts is expected to grow at a value-based CAGR of around 5.4% and show an increase in revenue from approximately US$ 2,879.6 million in 2023 to around US$ 4,872.4 million by 2033. Gourmet salts are sea salts with lower sodium levels and are harvested naturally. These salts are available in various colors, textures, forms, packaging, and flavors. The emergence of demand for gourmet salts has been due to rapid globalization, increase awareness of products across various social media platforms, and growing traction towards innovative flavors, and ingredients. The gourmet salt is either harvested or mined. Harvested salt obtained from seawater, whereas mined salt is attained from mineral rocks and other sources. Increasing urbanization is anticipated to influence the demand for health and wellness along with consumers’ demand for clean-label and certified products across the globe.

What are the Key Trends in the Market for Gourmet Salts?

“Increasing Use of Gourmet Salt in Exotic Food Preparations”

Gourmet salts are available in a wide range of flavors, appearances, and textures. These properties are used in the preparation of a variety of foods as well as in food preservation. This enhances the flavor of the prepared food. Exotic food refers to food prepared with tropical ingredients. Gourmet salts are a good example of an exotic and tropical ingredient. It imparts a distinct flavor and texture to the food. The global demand for exotic food restaurants is increasing, which is impacting the demand for gourmet salt. This demand is expected to rise as the gourmet salt industry expands.

“Clean Label Specialty Products”

Increasing awareness about clean-label products among consumers is raising the demand for clean-label ingredients. Consumers are aware of the health benefits of clean-label products. This trend is forcing gourmet salt manufacturers to focus on the introduction of clean-label specialty ingredients for application in various food segments. The growing interest and trend of exotic food among consumers is expected to boost the gourmet salts market.

“Introduction of New Salted Dark Chocolate Products”

Gourmet salt has a variety of applications in the confectionery industry. The leading suppliers of gourmet salts are innovating new products using chocolates. The new trending products that use gourmet salt and chocolate are salted chocolate sauce and salted chocolate bars. These products are manufactured using gourmet salt flakes and dark chocolate. This chocolate sauce can be used to jazz up desserts or can be drizzled on ice cream or fresh fruits.

• For the development of new products using gourmet salt, Murray River Salts has collaborated with Mildura Chocolate Co., and developed two new products - Salted Chocolate Sauce and Salted Chocolate Bars, by using a combination of dark chocolates and gourmet salts.

“Rising Preferences for Healthy Convenience Food”

The dynamics of the world economy and its effects on various countries and industries can be observed with numerous parameters. The need for industrialization across the globe has given thrust to rapid urbanization. In ever-changing economies, changing lifestyles affect the spending behavior of consumers. Customers are also giving importance to maintaining their social status. In the phase of hectic work schedules, consumers are opting best possible option of convenience food.

Increased urbanization and growing westernization are driving consumers across the globe to opt for convenience food. However, growing health awareness is influencing consumers’ preference towards high-quality healthy processed food. This trend has encouraged processed food manufacturers to focus on the use of low-sodium salts such as gourmet salt in their products.

For instance, in 2015, General Mills Convenience launched a new series of products at AWMA Marketplace & Solutions Expo, targeted at convenience stores. These products include hazelnut and almond bars with Madagascar vanilla dipped in dark chocolate, with a sprinkle of sea salt.

“Technological Advancements Coupled with Attractive Packaging”

The manufacturing of gourmet salt requires high precision processing as it is categorized in the range of premium quality salts. In order to cater to increasing demand for high-quality food-grade sea salts and other gourmet salts, major players in the market are focusing on the adoption of advanced technologies for salt production. This allows manufacturers to produce high-quality gourmet salts effectively and efficiently. Along with that, manufacturers are adopting the ongoing trend of silent proportioning of products by offering gourmet salt in attractive packaging. This will help manufacturers of gourmet salt position their products in the premium segment and also help them attract more customers across the globe.

Country-Wise insights

Which Country is Emerging as Pioneer Country in South Asia & Pacific Gourmet Salts Market?

“Increasing Popularity of Convenience Food”

In South Asia & Pacific, India sales is expected to increase at CAGR of around 7.5% during the forecast period. The increasing urbanization and changing lifestyle of consumers are propelling the demand for exotic foods and effectively for gourmet salt. In addition, the increasing trend and popularity of processed foods, convenience foods, gourmet kitchens, and restaurants are anticipated to boost the gourmet salt market.

What is the Demand Outlook of U.S. Gourmet Salts?

“Increasing Demand of Gourmet Salts in Food & Beverage Industry in the U.S.”

The U.S. gourmet salt market holds around 88.9% of the current market share in the North America market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 2.3% during the forecast period.

The U.S. has a prominent gourmet salts market share, attributable to the higher utilization of gourmet salts in various end-use industries in the region. Growing demand for premium and high-quality products and increasing consumers inclining towards healthy and natural products.

Category-Wise insights

Which Application of Gourmet Salts Accounts the High Market Share During the Forecast Period?

“Increasing Application in Meat & Poultry Processing”

Based on the application, the global market gourmet salts is segmented into bakery & confectionery, meat & poultry, seafood, sauces & savory, desserts & frozen food.

Meat & poultry is expected to hold the largest market share of 20.8% during the forecast period (2023-2033). In the global market, the demand for gourmet salts is increasing meat, & poultry products. Rising demand for exotic preparations of meat & poultry products is anticipated to increase the demand for gourmet salts across the globe.

Competitive Dashboard

Key manufacturers are targeting product offerings, especially towards manufacturers operating in the gourmet salts industry. Multinational companies with a wide variety of products account for roughly around 45-50% of the global gourmet salts market. Cargill Inc., SaltWorks Inc. Murray River Gourmet Salt, and INFOSA, among others, are some of the major players operating in the global gourmet salts market. Regional players account for a market share of approximately 30-35%, while local players account for around 25-30%. The latter is engaged in the business of providing gourmet salts, operates at a small scale, and is more export-oriented.

• In January 2021, Cargill Salt unveiled its novel product i.e. pure sea salt flour. The active component is an ultra-fine cut, powder-like sodium chloride. It is ideal for blending applications requiring extremely fine sizing, such as cereal, spice mixes, dry soup, and flour, and for topping snack foods.
• In April 2020, SaltWorks announced the implementation of advanced new B2B e-commerce tools to enhance the customer experience and propel sales growth. The new platform, developed in collaboration with B2B commerce innovator OroCommerce, provides SaltWorks with the robust, flexible sales facilities necessary to meet the diverse requirements of its customers at scale.
• Cheetham Salt Limited acquired the remaining 50% share of Dominion Salt Limited. At the same time, it divested its shares in retail joint ventures.
• San Francisco Salt Company received recognition for its outstanding customer satisfaction from the Bizrate Platinum Circle of Excellence Award. The company received this award for the fourth consecutive time and the company is recognized as one of the 2.7% of retailers in North America to receive the award.

Gourmet Salts Industry Report Scope

Gourmet Salts Industry Research Segmentation

By Product Type:

• Coarse Salt
• Flake Salt
• Fleur de Sel
• India Black Salt
• Italian Black Salt
• Sel Griss Sea Salt
• Smoked Sea Salt
• Others

By Application:

• Bakery & Confectionery
• Meat & Poultry
• Seafood
• Sauces & Savory
• Desserts & Frozen Food

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia & Pacific
• East Asia
• Middle East & Africa

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About Author

Amol Patil

Senior Associate Consultant

Amol is a Senior Associate Consultant and brings profound experience across multiple facets of the food and beverage domain. With over three years of expertise in food additives, dietary supplements, beverages, and food processing, he has consistently delivered exceptional insights through primary and secondary research for Fortune 500 clients. His strong research acumen enables him to identify emerging market opportunities, analyze industry trends, and explore technological developments shaping the food and beverage landscape.

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