The country's annual salt production season of 2024-25 officially concluded on May 17, with a total yield of around 22.5 lakh tonnes, according to the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and industry insiders.
Although the total production falls short of the production target by about 3,58,000 tonnes, industry insiders assured that there is no immediate risk of supply shortages due to decreased demand and ample stockpiles from previous seasons.
The production target for the 2023鈥�24 season was set at 26.1 lakh tonnes, said the BSCIC data. Moreover, production also declined by 7.71 per cent from 24.38 lakh tonnes in 2023-24.
According to industry insiders, adverse weather conditions at聽the beginning and end of the season prompted farmers to halt operations earlier than expected, preventing the target from being met.
In 2020-21, the production was 16.5 lakh tonnes, 18.32 lakh tonnes in 2021-22, 22.33 lakh tonnes in 2022-23, and 24.38 lakh tonnes in 2023-24.
The salt production season officially begins on November 1 and ends on May 17 of the following year, according to the BSCIC.
The domestic demand for salt is about 2.6 million tonnes. Moreover, during Eid al-Azha, more than 1 lakh tonnes of salt are required to preserve the raw hides of sacrificial animals.
Speaking to 抖阴精品, Md Zafar Iqbal Bhuiyan, deputy general manager of BSCIC and head of the Salt Industry Development Centre, stated that despite a total production of 2.25 million tonnes of salt, there will be no shortage.
鈥楾he demand for salt in the industrial sector within the country has decreased. Moreover, due to ample stock from the previous season, there鈥簊 more salt available than demanded, which has kept the market stable,鈥� he added.
During the Eid-ul-Azha, the country has a demand of more than 1 lakh tonnes of salt to preserve the raw hides and skin of sacrificial animals.
Typically, approximately 8 kilograms of salt is required to preserve a cow rawhide.
This year, the tanners alleged that the salt millers suddenly hiked the prices of salt by Tk聽5 to Tk聽14.5 at the mill gates ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.
Shaheen Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Tanners鈥� Association, said that the syndicate hiked salt to Tk聽14.5 per kg from Tk聽9 per kg over the past few weeks.
鈥榃e already informed the BSCIC about this and they assured us that they would take action.鈥� he added.
Meanwhile, Nurul Kabir, president of the Bangladesh Salt Mill Owners鈥� Association, denied the allegation, saying that they had not hiked salt prices ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
鈥楧ue to excessive labour and production costs, the price has been raised to Tk聽14.5 per kg with the governmental approval. We provide salt for the rawhide traders through BSCIC,鈥� he added.
He also stated that throughout the year, there is no possibility of a salt shortage, as they produce an adequate amount and maintain a substantial stockpile.
In recent years, BSCIC has adjusted annual production targets based on demand rather than historical averages.
However, a reduction in industrial activity has significantly curbed salt consumption in various manufacturing sectors.
At the same time, consumer demand has remained stagnant, further easing pressure on supply.
Still, salt farmers and industry experts warn of growing challenges, particularly due to controversial imports.
Local producers alleged that edible salt (sodium chloride) is being imported under the guise of industrial-use sodium sulfate, thereby undermining domestic production and prices.
Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, general secretary of the Cox鈥簊 Bazar Salt Farmers and Traders Association, said that currently, sodium disulphite is being imported in the name of industrial salt. However, the demand for this industrial salt has long been met by domestically produced salt.
He said that to save salt farmers, the import of Sodium sulphate and Sodium disulphite must be stopped.
He also stated that 90 per cent of the imported quantity is being mixed with edible salt and sold in the market as table salt, which is causing salt farmers to not receive the desired price.
He alleged that the salt farmers sold the item for Tk 4 per kg whereas it was being sold in the market for Tk 42-45 per kg.
鈥業f this continues, many farmers will be forced to abandon salt farming altogether,鈥� he added.
Farm-gate prices for salt have dropped significantly. While just weeks ago, 88 kilograms (two maunds) of salt sold for as high as Tk聽900, the current prices have declined to Tk聽800.
Similarly, per-maund prices at the production level have decreased from Tk 320鈥�330 to Tk 280鈥�300.
According to BSCIC, the government has a plan to establish a salt industry park on 25,000 acres in Sandwip upazila in Chattogram, but it remains unimplemented.聽
Cox鈥檚 Bazar remains the largest salt-producing district in the country.
Meanwhile, private initiatives have taken root in Anwara upazila of Chattogram, although these ventures have yet to be formally recognised by BSCIC.
