Mawlamyine, 17 December
Some sun-dried salt farmers in Mon State have suspended their businesses due to the drop in raw salt prices, the high price of fuel, and the difficulty in obtaining oil.
The price of raw salt, which was around 250 kyats per viss during the new salt season in November, has now dropped to 150 kyats.
Although the price of raw salt has decreased, the price of fuel oil, which is mainly used in the production of sun-dried salt, has jumped to more than 10 lakhs from 9 lakhs per barrel this month.
“This situation has stopped most of the sun-dried salt businesses, and the farmers are monitoring the situation,” said a salt farmer in Ye Township.
On the one hand, salt farmers suffer losses due to high labor costs and other expenses.
A salt farmer in Thanbyuzayet Township also said that they stopped the sun-dried salt business because they could not cover production costs.
The sun-dried salt industry is mainly operated in Ye, Thanbyuzayet, and Paung townships in Mon State, producing more than 40,000 tons of salt annually.
But salt farmers are facing losses due to high general costs and the destruction of salt fields due to climate change for two consecutive years.
News-Than Lwin Times
Photo-CJ
Thanlwintimes