ALTHOUGH Mon State’s salt output has dropped this year due to weather conditions, salt producers said that the market and the price of salt are good.
Due to continuous rainfall since the pre-Thingyan period, salt fields will have to be harvested earlier than in previous years.
“The salt industry has to close early because of continuous rains since before Thingyan. Last year, the weather was good after one month of rain in April, but now it has been raining continuously. This is the season for salt production, but this year, the production and the close-down happen at the same time,” said a salt farmer.
Due to the weather conditions, the salt fields have to be closed early. Mon State produces around 30,000 tonnes of salt annually, but this year it can only produce about 15,000 tonnes, which is about half the production.
With decreased salt production and higher demand, the price of raw salt went up to K 500 per viss.
“This year’s salt production has decreased, so the price is good, and the market is good. People from Bago, Yangon, Taninthayi, and Myeik are buying. Since there is a shortage of supplies, sales are brisk, and the price is good,” he added.
Already high salt prices can be better than now during the period from this supply storage to next year’s new salt season, he said. — MT/ZN
