Sad, the price of salt in 3 production centers is only Rp. 100-200 per kilogram

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Local salt prices touched the lowest level since the government plans to import salt of 3.07 million tons for 2021.

The amount was greater than the import in the previous year, namely 2.7 million tons.

Wicaksono, Chairman of the Central Executive of the NU Fishermen’s Union, said that the local salt price at the farmer level is now only Rp 100-200 per kilogram.

Also read: 3 Million Tons of Salt Imports, Farmers: Government Sides to Importers and Foreigners!

The reduced price of salt occurred in three production centers, namely Indramayu, Madura and East Nusa Tenggara.

“After seeing and hearing directly from the salt farmers in the field, they expressed concern regarding salt production that is not absorbed by the market, even at the farmer level now Rp. 100-200 rupiah per kg. This is certainly very disturbing,” said Wicaksono at a press conference virtually, Wednesday (24/3/2021).

The salt price is too cheap to make farmers not profitable.

In fact, farmers in several production centers admit that their harvest can only buy 15 kilograms of rice.

So that the price does not continue to decrease, he asked the government to set a reference price for local salt at the level of Rp 700-1,000 per kilogram.

Also read: Susi Pudjiastuti: Salt Imports Should Not Be More Than 1.7 Million Tons

This is because the price of imported salt purchased by Indonesia is Rp. 1,000 per kilogram.

“Even (imported salt) from China itself is around Rp. 1500 per kg. Meanwhile, today the price of salt at the farm level is only Rp. 100-200 kg,” said Wicaksono.

In fact, according to the 2021 RPJMN, this year’s national salt production is capable of reaching 3 million tons. Meanwhile, the national demand is around 4 million tons.

In calculating internal data after involving 28 NU regional administrators and 355 branches in Indonesia, the maximum salt imports in 2021 should only be 1 million tonnes.

“If 3 million tonnes are imported, then what will our farmers eat? What are their children going to school for? If allowed to continue like this, then farmers will be the most disadvantaged,” he concluded.

Also read: Nicknamed Salt Island, This Is The Result of Salt Production in Madura

Previously it was reported, the Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi revealed the government’s reason for planning imported salt.

This reason is no different from previous years, namely the lack of quality local salt.

The quality and quantity of local salt is said to be not suitable for industrial needs. Lutfi assessed that the lack of quality in the country should be seen by business actors as an opportunity to improve and develop the salt industry.

“The quality of salt is different. Where our salt that is done by PT Garam and the people’s farmers has not been able to match the quality of the industrial salt,” Lutfi said in a virtual press conference, Friday (19/3/2021).

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