India’s salt production likely to reduce by 30% this year

Salt production in India is likely to reduce by nearly 30%, on account of a delayed onset of the harvest season, in the country’s largest salt-producing state, Gujarat. Generally, salt harvesting in Gujarat starts from March, but due to the extended monsoon, especially in the coastal areas, the majority of salt pans initiated harvesting process from mid-April, says Bharat Raval, president of Indian Salt Manufacturers’ Association (ISMA), adding that if the monsoon commences before mid-June, there would be further a production cut. On an average, India produces nearly 30 million tonne of salt every year. Of the total production of salt in the country, Gujarat has a lion’s share of almost 90%. The state witnessed rain till the first week of October last year. As a result, salt pan operators have had less time for harvesting. In the event of a more than 30% dip in salt production, the central government may enforce restrictions on exports of the commodity. Of India’s total salt ...