Vietnam to Import More Salt in 2008
The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have suggested the government increase salt import quota by 200,000 tons in 2008, to calm down salt shortage, the Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper said.
Le Xuan, head of the Agricultural and Forestry Product Processing and Salt Department, said once the proposal is approved, the country’s total salt import volume will hit 430,000 tons this year.
Xuan attributed the increased salt imports to the soon coming of storm No1 and raining season in southern region, while consecutive rains in northern provinces reduced salt output.
Vietnam’s total salt output in 2008 is estimated at around 900,000 and 950,000 tons, but the country’s demand hit 1.3 million tons.
The country has so far this year imported 100,000 tons of salt, for $70 a ton on average. Up to 70% of the imports came from India.
Salt is now traded at between VND1,300 and VND1,500 a kilo at local market, up by VND400-VND700 a kilo from late last year. (The Youth)
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