Due to heavy rains in early April, destroying salt fields, the price of raw salt had risen In Mon State. However, as the end of April approaches, salt prices have fallen.
According to the U Kyaw Thu, the price of raw salt hit a record high of 350 kyats per viss (roughly 1.63 kilograms).
“The price had gone up to 350 kyats, but now it is 250 kyats, mainly due to equipment failure. Now the sun is getting a little hot again, so the salt industry is getting back to normal, and salt prices are falling again,” he added.
Heavy rains that occurred last December, also destroyed many of Mon State’s salt fields. Then in February and March of this year, tens of thousands of tons of salt were lost due to the heavy rains.
A salt farmer from Thanbyuzayat predicted that salt production will decrease this year.
“The farmers have been hit hard this year. Salt prices have risen, but not much has been made. We have to sell as much as we can, but the product is broken. We have to start again now,” he said.
Mon State, produces more that 40,000 tons of sun-dried salt primarily in Ye, Paung and Thanbyuzayat townships.
The salt is exported to Yangon, Mandalay, Tanintharyi and Myawaddy.
