Indonesia has the second longest coastline but salt is still imported

Indonesia, with its long coastline and vast sea area, faces a mystery as to why it remains reliant on salt imports, despite its potential for local production. Over the past decade, the country's salt imports have averaged 2.3 million tons annually, valued at around US $100 million or IDR 1.45 trillion, with Australia and India being the main suppliers. Import levels have surged in 2021, marking a 275% increase from the previous month and a 54.02% rise year-over-year. This dependence is attributed to insufficient domestic production and declining salt land due to shrinking salt ponds. The reduction in salt land, from 33,625 ha in 2005 to 27,048 ha in 2019, results in a yearly loss of 1.4%. Additionally, the country's reliance on outdated production methods, such as solar evaporation, is exacerbated by the effects of climate change and the need for modernization to enhance productivity and efficiency. Consequently, Indonesia's salt industry is grappling with significant challenges that need to be addressed to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce import reliance.