Times of India: Ahmedabad: Friday, 14 June 2024.
Salt manufacturers in Gujarat are finally feeling relieved as salt production has hit a 7-year high. The Indian Salt Manufacturers’ Association (ISMA) estimates that 337.56 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of salt were produced in 2023-24, about 10% more than the 308.01 lakh MT produced in 2022-23. With no unexpected rain during the peak season, salt producers are happy about the increased production. However, they are still worried about the decreasing amount of salt produced per acre.
At its peak in 2005-06, salt production surpassed 400 lakh MT and later remained between 350 lakh MT and 400 lakh MT. However, changes in weather patterns have affected the yield. ISMA estimates indicate that the per-acre yield of salt has reduced to 55 tonnes from 60 to 65 tonnes a decade ago, triggered by climate change.
Bharat Raval, president of
ISMA, explained, “In the past decade, the average rainfall in the state has
increased to 900mm during the season, compared to 700mm in the previous decade.
Additionally, the monsoon pattern has completely changed due to climate change,
often causing the shortening of the salt production season or washing away of
stocked salt. As a result, salt production has declined over the past decade
and has significantly decreased from its peak levels, though it is now slowly
rising.”
He added, “In the past decade, the area for salt harvest has also increased, but production has not grown at the same rate.” Gujarat and Rajasthan account for about 90% of India’s total salt production. About 30% of this salt is exported, while the rest is used in India for edible and industrial purposes. Lower production is expected to raise the price of salt, both edible and industrial. “The demand for salt in the chlor-alkali industry grows between 6.5% and 8% yearly, while salt production barely grows at half that rate. This is why prices have been high over the past few years. However, we expect some price relief this year,” said a senior ISMA official.
Salt manufacturers in Gujarat are finally feeling relieved as salt production has hit a 7-year high. The Indian Salt Manufacturers’ Association (ISMA) estimates that 337.56 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of salt were produced in 2023-24, about 10% more than the 308.01 lakh MT produced in 2022-23. With no unexpected rain during the peak season, salt producers are happy about the increased production. However, they are still worried about the decreasing amount of salt produced per acre.
At its peak in 2005-06, salt production surpassed 400 lakh MT and later remained between 350 lakh MT and 400 lakh MT. However, changes in weather patterns have affected the yield. ISMA estimates indicate that the per-acre yield of salt has reduced to 55 tonnes from 60 to 65 tonnes a decade ago, triggered by climate change.
He added, “In the past decade, the area for salt harvest has also increased, but production has not grown at the same rate.” Gujarat and Rajasthan account for about 90% of India’s total salt production. About 30% of this salt is exported, while the rest is used in India for edible and industrial purposes. Lower production is expected to raise the price of salt, both edible and industrial. “The demand for salt in the chlor-alkali industry grows between 6.5% and 8% yearly, while salt production barely grows at half that rate. This is why prices have been high over the past few years. However, we expect some price relief this year,” said a senior ISMA official.
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