Salt Industry Crisis in Pakistan

Speaking to The Express Tribune, they highlighted that rising production costs and high taxes on imported salt materials have hindered competitiveness in the international market, causing distress among salt manufacturers.

Additionally, they noted that higher freight transportation costs have been significantly impacting the local salt industry due to issues in the Red Sea stemming from Israel’s war on Palestine…It’s worth mentioning that freight services are still below the levels seen during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.

“For years, the salt trade has grappled with numerous challenges, hindering smooth operations and affecting various stakeholders within the industry,” stated SMAP Chairman Qasim Yaqoob Paracha. “One significant hurdle is the trade ban with India, which has led to decreased revenue for salt manufacturers, disrupted trade routes, and diminished overall profitability in this sector,” he said.

 “We can foster a conducive environment for the sustainable growth and development of this sector, thereby contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the country,” he expressed, adding that, “We anticipate proactive initiatives and decisive actions from the government in resolving these issues, ushering in an era of progress and prosperity for all stakeholders.”