Mawlamyine, February (12)
Sun-dried salt farmers are losing money due to the continuous decline in the price of salt amid the new salt season in Mon State, they told Than Lwin Times.
In December, the price of raw salt was around 230 kyats per viss, and in the second week of February, it dropped to around 130 kyats per viss.
When new salt is on the market, there is a huge supply and little demand, which causes the price of salt to decline.
A salt farmer said that despite the drop in salt prices, salt farmers are facing losses due to high labor costs and high fuel prices.
The activity of salt-using food manufacturing businesses has also declined since the military coup, and the sun-dried salt industries are having challenges as a result of the supply and demand imbalance.
A salt farmer stated that, despite falling salt prices, he must sell the salt at a reasonable price to cover labor costs and general expenses.
More than 40,000 tons of salt are produced annually in Mon State, primarily in the townships of Paung, Thanbyuzayat, and Ye.
These salts are also used in the region and sold to various regions and states, including Yangon and Mandalay.
However, the salt farmers have had to face losses for the past two years due to frequent rains and the military coup.
News-Than Lwin Times