The first World Salt Conference to take place in Africa was held in Swakopmund. The conference, saw delegates discuss the latest market trends and developments in the salt industry.
The meeting was attended by more than 150 delegates from around the world, including representatives of salt mines, salt producers, logistics and shipping companies, engineering companies, and equipment suppliers.
Andre Snyman, Managing Director of Walvis Bay Salt Holdings (Pty) Ltd, spoke to Observer Money about the Salt Conference, salt exports and trends in the industry.
Walvis Bay Salt Holdings is the largest producer of solar sea salt in sub-Saharan Africa. The Company processes 100 million m3 (cubic meter) of seawater per annum to produce in excess of 1 000 000 mt of high-quality salt per annum. The total operation covers an area of 5000ha. The group exports to various countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa and Europe.
In addition to producing salt for the chemical industry and other general purposes the group also produces high quality table salt for the Southern Africa market. Besides South Africa, triple refined sea salt is exported to neighbouring countries, including Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana and Zambia, mainly for human consumption.
Observer Money (OM): What is the importance of Namibia hosting the World Salt Conference from 6-9 November?
Andre Snyman (AS): This event will put the focus on Namibia as the biggest salt producer in sub – Saharan Africa, producing more than 1.3-million-ton salt per annum.
(OM): How will Namibia benefit from the visit of the world’s leading players, how can this help the salt industry in Namibia?
(AS): The visit can potentially open up new markets for Namibian salt exports. And through networking many new contacts and relationships in the salt industry internationally can be galvanised.
OM): How does the Namibian salt industry compare to similar industries across Africa?
(AS): Walvis Bay Salt is the biggest solar sea salt producer in Sub – Saharan Africa.
(OM): How much salt does Namibia produce and export?
(AS): Produce: 1.3 million tons; total exports: 1.1 million tons.
(OM): To which countries does Walvis Bay Salt export salt?
(AS): West Africa (Nigeria and Cameroon); East Africa (Kenya); South Africa; Zambia, North America, Europe
(OM): Apart from the coast, where else can Namibia potentially mine salt?
(AS): Salt Company (Swakopmund) is producing about 120 000 tons solar sea salt per annum. At Cape Cross (north of Henties) there is a huge deposit of rock salt as well.
