IN the current salt season, Mon State is seeing an increase in the number of producers, and early harvests are fetching high prices, U Naing Hu, a lo­cal salt entrepreneur, told The Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM).

Due to the high salt pric­es last year, more producers have entered the industry this season, leading to an increase in the number of salt fields. Salt production began in early January, and prices have re­mained strong since the start of the harvest.

“Because of the good price, there are more salt farmers compared to last year. We are seeing more salt fields. Since salt was scarce and prices were high last year, people began working on abandoned fields. Currently, the early-season pric­es are good. If this trend con­tinues, it will be very beneficial for the salt farmers,” he stated.

While early coarse salt fetched only K160 per viss last year, it is currently reaching up to K750. Salt produced in Mon State is distributed nationwide, and the market demand re­mains strong, he added.

While the industry is grow­ing, salt producers are facing labour shortages, resulting in higher wage costs. Under fa­vourable weather conditions, Mon State typically produces around 40,000 tonnes of salt an­nually. However, due to various weather conditions last year, production dropped significant­ly to only about 16,000 tonnes. — MT/ZN