Unique challenges impact bulk shipping of rock salt in 2025 | AJOT.COM
It takes more than a pinch of salt to keep the nation’s highways clear of ice, and tariffs will complicate the job.
Many commodities are sold and shipped in bulk quantities. One of the most common is rock salt, which is used for melting ice and snow on roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and other surfaces to ensure safe transportation for motorists or pedestrians. Rock salt is also a critical component of a wide range of industries.
The rock salt industry in the US today is facing an ongoing nationwide shortage of product and the impact of increased tariffs. The US currently imports 25% of the rock salt used domestically, making tariffs a concern. In addition to these unique situations, shipping bulk rock salt at any time presents challenges due to the commodity’s tendency to corrode, moisture sensitivity, and specialized handling and storing requirements.
Road salt (+80,000 tons), was shipped at record levels through Indiana’s ports during recent winter storms.
Rock Salt is Key to Much More Than Road De-Icing
Rock salt is a key ingredient in the production of a variety of chemicals, including sodium chloride (table salt) and hydrochloric acid. In the textile industry, rock salt is often used as a dye enhancer, ensuring that colors fully penetrate fabrics.
Not only is rock salt used to improve the flavor of foods, but it also plays a part in food processing, helping extend the shelf life of food products. Rock salt is used in water softener systems to temper the hardness of minerals, improving water quality for domestic and commercial use.
Animal nutrition depends on rock salt to provide essential minerals, particularly sodium, for livestock, which are crucial for their health and well-being. Rock salt is also used in drilling fluids and for storage of liquefied petroleum gases and is an ingredient in the detergent and metal processing industries.
A Nationwide Shortage of Rock Salt Impacts Availability, Prices
The US is facing a nationwide shortage of rock salt that began with winter weather and is still impacting some regions well into March. According to rock salt producers, the current nationwide shortage has been caused by “unprecedented winter demand” and supply chain issues.
The result has been rising prices and limited availability for businesses and municipalities, with some states declaring a state of emergency. Some municipalities explored alternative solutions, such as mixing salt with sand, while others have been restricting salt use to main roads and intersections.
The long period of cold weather events and heavy snowfall across the U.S. in multiple regions caused an unpredicted increase in the demand for rock salt, exceeding supplies from domestic and foreign sources. Some suppliers have limited sales to existing customers and those with existing contracts, posing a challenge to independent removal companies.
To provide some perspective regarding the magnitude of the problem, American Rock, a major producer of rock salt, reported that in 2024, the company shipped 1.8 million tons of salt for the entirety of the winter season; this winter through January 2025 alone the company has already shipped over 2.1 million tons of salt.
Companies like American Rock Salt are taking steps to meet the demand. In addition to increasing its production of rock salt by 25%, the company said it was opening reserve stockpiles, purchasing new underground equipment to mine additional salt, and constructing more access points to its underground converter and bin system to help transport more salt to processing equipment.
Tariffs Likely to Impact Rock Salt Pricing
While the current rock salt shortage is expected to come to an end as soon as winter weather becomes less prevalent across the U.S., a more long-term challenge exists for rock salt importers. The US imports salt from Mexico, Canada, Chile, the Bahamas, and Egypt. According to the U.S. import data, the nation imported salt worth $687.69 million and 15.54 million tons in 2023-24. There are more than 2700 active salt importers in the US buying salt from more than 2400 suppliers worldwide.
The proposed Trump administration tariffs of 25% for imports from Mexico and Canada could significantly increase the cost of salt. These increases come at a time when the industry is unable to absorb additional costs. According to salt producers, operating costs have been increasing for more than a year due to higher transportation and labor costs.
The US Geological Survey reports that the average cost of rock salt increased by 3.5 percent in 2024. Import costs from key suppliers like Canada and Chile were already rising due to logistical bottlenecks. Margins for salt producers are low in comparison to a potential 25% tariff. Many salt producers have said they would pass the additional tariff costs on to clients, ultimately impacting consumers.
Special Handling Requirements
The bulk rock salt supply chain is impacted by the product’s corrosive nature and moisture vulnerability, logistical challenges and seasonality, handling and safety issues, and environmental concerns.
Salt is corrosive and can cause wear and tear on equipment, including containers, storage facilities, and vehicles, leading to increased maintenance and shorter equipment lifespans. Salt needs to be shipped in containers that are clean and dry, and containers must be free of other commodities that could release moisture.
These factors can all result in higher operating costs for transportation providers that handle bulk salt shipments. The ability of the providers to pass these increases to their salt-producing customers is affected by the rate environment at the time and the relationships between salt producers and transportation providers.
Rock salt is most needed during winter storms. Carriers must travel on the roads that rock salt is meant to improve to deliver orders of the product. In general, handling salt can generate dust, potentially posing health risks and environmental concerns, creating a need for controlled application methods.
When salt arrives in bulk, it tends to have compacted into crystalline lumps, which makes the unloading process more demanding on equipment. For safety, it is important for anyone whose job requires handling salt to wear appropriate protective gear, including gloves, goggles, and a dust mask to prevent inhalation of salt dust. Bulk salt can impact the environment. When it is stored outside, runoff must be properly controlled to prevent contaminating streams, wells, or groundwater with salt runoff.
Outsource Options
For salt producers that do not have the resources to navigate the intricacies of transporting salt or other commodities, there are options to outsource. One example is Bulk Connection, a licensed, bonded and insured freight broker providing on-demand freight capacity for liquid and dry bulk shipments. The company began in 1987 as bulk shipping specialists and states that it still maintains the largest network of bulk carriers in North America.
