1st half US salt sales climb in tons, dollars

U.S. salt sales revenues for the first six months of 2008 are 10.3% ahead of last year; tons sold increased 11.6%. Sales revenues increased in every major use category. 

As we've been saying constantly to the news media and anxious public works agency road salt customers, the tonnage of highway deicing salt reached a near-record in 2007 and the salt industry is operating at full production.  The sales figures bear this out.  Road salt sales in January-June 2008 surged 12.4% higher than in the blistering pace of the first half of 2007. 

Biggest percentage gains were recorded for sales to the chemical industry which jumped 37.2% in tons and 36% in revenues.  Highway sales revenues increased 15.5%.  In terms of tonnage, salt for water softening increased 9.6%, animal nutrition salt climbed 7.4% and only food salt eased (dropping 2.5%).  Revenues increased 6.8% for water conditioning salt, 12.1% for animal nutrition salt and 2.9% for food salt.

With forecasts of a severe winter ahead and record high bids from state transportation departments, 2008 may well set the all-time record.  While there are wide swings in the weather, last year setting snowfall records in the upper Midwest, the overall advance in highway salt sales reflects the recognition by drivers and commercial highway users that modern, professional snowfighting technologies and technqiues can keep winter roads safe reliably available.  Thus, there is a strengthening constituency for improved standards for winter roadway maintenance.

The Institute's website contains annual U.S. salt sales data back to 1978.