Supply dearth of salt persists in N region
Consumers and hide traders
suffer as traders jack up prices
GOLAM MOSTAFA JIBON from Rajshahi
Declining production of salt by the countrys mills has resulted in short supply, thereby creating instability in the salt markets of the northern region. Unfavourable weather conditions last year, coupled with a critical shortage of raw materials, are primarily responsible for the prevailing situation.
As the domestic mills cannot meet the demand of local markets, some unscrupulous traders have jacked up salt prices by Tk 10 to Tk 12 per kg. Consequently, both consumers and hide traders are facing extreme hardship.
Taking advantage of the vacuum, low-quality Indian salt, coming through different border routes, has swamped the markets of 16 districts in the northern region. This is causing serious health hazards to consumers, especially the poor and people belonging to the low-income groups who cannot afford iodised salt.
Sources said massive amounts of rain were experienced during the salt production season last year. As a result, there was a shortage of some 3 lakh metric tonnes of salt production compared to the target fixed by the refining mills of Chittagong and Khulna regions.
To meet domestic demand, the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and the industries ministry recommended imports of 3 lakh metric tonnes of salt from abroad through the mill-owners. However, the commerce ministry approved imports of only 1 lakh metric tonnes of salt from abroad. As a result, there is now a shortage of around 2 lakh metric tonnes of salt across the country.
On the other hand, salt production was also slightly hampered by dense fog and rains (which fell twice) in the current season. On the pretext of production problems, mill-owners and traders have hiked the price of salt abnormally. At present, a maund of loose salt is being sold for between Tk 800 and Tk 850 in the local markets, against the price of between Tk 300 and Tk 350 just a few months ago. Similarly, a kg of loose salt (without iodine) is being sold between Tk 20 and Tk 22, against the previous price of between Tk 12 and Tk 14.
Mill-owners said they are collecting unrefined salt from Coxs Bazar, Teknaf, Chakoria and Banshkhali areas at higher rates compared to last year. Depending on the varieties, mill-owners are purchasing each maund of salt for between Tk 450 and Tk 480, while the price was between Tk 150 and Tk 180 last year.
A salt mill-owner of Khulna said production in most of the mills in the southern region has slowed down due to the shortages in the supply of raw materials and unrefined salt from Coxs Bazar, Chakoria, Teknaf and Banshkhali areas. As a result, they have been unable to run their mills properly. Also, many mill workers are without work and are sitting idle.
Hide traders, too, have been hit hard. Abdus Salam, a hide trader of Sirajganj Chamragudam area, said: We are facing extreme trouble while making our salt purchases for processing hides. Owing to the high price of salt, we are incurring losses in our business.
Fazar Ali, a retail salt seller of Rajshahi, said: We are collecting salt from mills and wholesalers at high rates. Consequently, we are being forced to sell the salt at double the rates.
Dr Khalilur Rahman, assistant professor of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital, pointed out that if consumers partake of such low-quality salt in their diets, they could suffer from cancer, goitre and other diseases. Jamat Khan, secretary of the Rajshahi Rakkha Sangram Parishad, said: The government should import salt immediately to meet the local demand. Prices may otherwise increase further in the coming weeks.
