Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the industries ministry to stay alert on the possibility of an artificial salt crisis as it is adequately available for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, officials said.
As instructed, the ministry told the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) to fix the demand for salt during the Muslims' feast of sacrifice.
In reply, the BSCIC gave the ministry the good news of a huge stockpile of the essential item in the country even after using it during the festival.
BSCIC data shows more than 1.8 million tonnes of salt were produced last season against the target of 1.7 million tonnes.
The government agency assessed the domestic demand for the commodity at more than 1.65 million tonnes.
The annual demand for salt increases by 10 per cent in line with the growing population, a BSCIC high official said.
As of June 23, the country now has a salt stock of over 1.2 million tonnes.
BSCIC chairman Md Mostaque Hassan told the ministry that, "Salt is in surplus, so there is no need to import this year."
During Eid-ul-Azha, a commerce ministry official said, a sizeable chunk of salt would be required to preserve rawhide and skins of sacrificial animals.
The committee responsible for monitoring salt production and demand as per the National Salt Policy 2016 will sit soon to craft strategies for the next salt season beginning in November, he added.
Industries minister, his deputy, BSCIC chairman and others will visit Cox's Bazar salt production areas in the first week of July, said BSCIC director (project) Mohammad Ataur Rahman Siddique.
There is a sufficient stock of salt to meet the local demand for this year, including the amount required to process rawhide during Eid-ul-Azha, he told the FE.
According to officials, the government only considers importing salt in the event of its acute shortage.
Bangladesh imported 0.25 million tonnes and 0.5 million tonnes of crude salt in 2016 and 2017 respectively in an attempt to stabilise the local market, they said.
The deficit of salt was about 0.35 million tonnes in the past two years.
An estimated 0.75 million tonnes of crude salt were imported to meet the shortage.
[email protected]
