In a significant development concerning agriculture and resource management, Cambodia is on the verge of producing nearly 100,000 tonnes of salt in 2024. This level of production is set to cover the entire domestic demand for salt within the country, as reported by the Kampot Provincial Department of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation.
With an expansive network of 131 salt production groups working over more than 2,000 hectares, Cambodia’s salt production landscape looks promising. According to Seum Nary, the acting director of the mentioned department, there’s a positive outlook for surpassing the prior year’s production figures. “Our projection for the yield reaches close to 100,000 tonnes, assuming the weather conditions remain favorable,” Nary mentioned, highlighting the dependency of salt yield on climatic conditions. She added, “The climate in Kampot province has been conducive to salt production so far.”
Salt harvesting in Cambodia typically spans from November to May each year. However, an extended period of hot weather could prolong the season until June. Nary expects to gather more precise information on the salt fields and their production capacity by the end of May. The current market rates for salt are between 10,000 to 12,000 Cambodian riels (approximately $2.5 to $3) for a 50 kg sack.
Should there be a turn towards unfavorable conditions, such as heavy rainfall, it may necessitate the import of salt from international sources to ensure uninterrupted supply within the country. Additionally, in a move to enhance the value of Cambodian salt on the global stage, the Ministry of Commerce introduced geographical indications (GI) tags for Cambodian salt in April 2023. Salt with these GI tags is expected to command higher prices in international markets compared to non-GI-tagged salt, potentially opening new revenue streams for Cambodian salt producers.
This step towards self-sufficiency in salt production not only reflects Cambodia’s capacity to meet its domestic consumption needs but also shows foresight in enhancing the economic value of its salt production on a global scale. The efforts are indicative of a larger strategy to bolster national industries through innovation, strategic planning, and utilization of natural resources.
Source: Khmer Times
