When winter tightens its grip on northern Europe, help arrives from an unexpected place, the pink lagoon of Torrevieja. While much of the Costa Blanca enjoys mild days, its salt is hard at work keeping roads and motorways moving hundreds of kilometres away.
Demand for salt is fairly steady through most of the year, but everything changes once January arrives. Snowstorms and freezing temperatures quickly drain salt reserves across central and northern Europe. After just one heavy snowfall, stocks need urgent refilling.
Keeping Europe moving
That situation has played out again this winter. Until a few days ago, snow covered around 85 percent of Europe. In countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, that figure rose to 95 percent. Parts of the United Kingdom and France were also affected. Transport systems struggled, and mobility became a real challenge. When that happens, Torrevieja is ready.
The saltworks at the famous Pink Lagoon currently hold more than 400,000 tonnes of sea salt. These vast white piles form a wall of salt almost 550 metres long, visible from across the surrounding salt flats. Thanks to a wet extraction system, production no longer depends only on the summer months. Salt can be harvested all year round.
Direct access to the western quay allows ships to be loaded quickly. Thousands of tonnes of salt can be moved into cargo holds within hours, making it possible to respond fast when demand spikes.
Salt from Torrevieja heading to Europe
Joseph Pérez, industrial engineer and director of the Torrevieja saltworks, says winter demand has increased slightly. That slight increase means exports will exceed the 60,000 tonnes originally planned for January. Most of this salt is heading to Nordic countries.
To keep up, the company has introduced a three shift system. Several cargo ships have booked space in Torrevieja Bay for the coming days. One of them alone will carry 14,000 tonnes. Most vessels usually take about half that amount, and around one hundred ships call at the quay each year.
Closer to home
Cold weather also affects demand within Spain. Regional and local authorities are building up stocks to de ice roads. While snowfall over Christmas and New Year was lighter than expected in many low lying areas, heavier snow elsewhere led to extra orders.
Since December, between fifteen and twenty lorries a day have been arriving at the saltworks, each carrying around 20 tonnes. Packaged salt for the food industry also continues to move out.
After several difficult years between 2016 and 2021, when torrential rain disrupted production, output is back to normal. The saltworks now produce between 500,000 and 550,000 tonnes a year. Even in mid winter, the harvesting machine continues to lift thick layers of crystallised salt from the lagoon floor.
Recent rainfall has caused no problems. Pérez explains that only very heavy rain affects production by diluting the brine. Since 24 December, rainfall has been around 40 litres, well within safe limits.
In fact, salt levels in the lagoon remain unusually high for January. The water has kept its distinctive pink colour, more typical of warmer months. Pérez notes that the lagoon currently holds 1.20 metres of brine and is still very pink for this time of year.
Torrevieja: More than just salt
Facing a global market flooded with supply, the saltworks have diversified. Since 2018, the site has welcomed tourists. Around 40,000 people a year visit by tourist train, on foot or by bike. Many also take part in food related experiences.
There is even a shop on site. Fleur de Sel is the star product, harvested using traditional methods and still heavily dependent on weather conditions.
The lagoon has also become popular with photographers and advertising teams. The pink water, white salt mountains and open skies have given Torrevieja global recognition. The arrival of a large flamingo breeding colony since 2020 has only added to its appeal.
Plans for a Thalassotherapy Centre, proposed by the council and the salt company, remain on hold. Environmental concerns raised by regional and national authorities have slowed progress, as the site sits within a protected Natural Park.
A salty business
Despite tourism and diversification, salt sales remain the backbone of the business. Annual turnover has sat at around €10 million in recent years, most of it coming from bulk salt.
