Rock salt The local businessmen of Pakistan have now started looking for new markets since the special variety of ‘Himalayan Pink Salt’ was banned in India. After the terrorist attack on 22 April in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, India has completely broken business relations with Pakistan. 26 people were killed in this attack. Pakistan is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of this particular type of rock salt. Khevda, located in Punjab province, has Pakistan’s largest rock salt mine and has 30 processing units.
3.5 lakh tonnes of rock salt was exported in 2024
Pakistan exported a total of 3,50,000 tonnes of rock salt in 2024, which is an estimated price of $ 12 million. The trade restrictions imposed after the Pahalgam terror attack have shocked the exporters of this rock salt, which is in great demand in India. Mansoor Ahmed, senior director of Ghani International, exporter of rock salt and its related products, said, “India has been the biggest importer of this rock salt from Pakistan. The ban means no exports are being exported to that country. ”
Himalayan rock salt is produced in Pakistan itself
Mansoor said that India is among the top three exporters of salt along with Pakistan and China. But only Pakistan produces Himalayan rock salt, not India or China. However, Pakistan’s exporters are not worried about this ban, as they see a ray of hope in it. Pakistan salt manufacturing association (SMAP) chief Cyma Akhtar said that Pakistan’s rock salt already has a huge demand globally, as its health has many benefits. When we exported it to India, salt was sold in the Indian retail market at Rs 45 to 50 per kg. Now it is being sold at Rs 70 to 80 per kg. ”
Export attempt intensifies to these countries including America, Vietnam, China
Shehzad Javed, CEO of the major producer and exporter firm of rock salt, said that Pakistan’s export of rock salt to China has increased in the first quarter of 2025. Javed said that about 136.4 million kg of salt worth $ 18.3 lakh was exported to China in the March quarter, which is 40 percent higher than the same period of 2024. He said, “We are now trying to increase exports to America, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Australia, Turkas, Netherlands, Italy, Britain, Germany, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Singapore, Chile, South Africa, Russia. All these are the main importers of rock salt. ”
With PTI inputs
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