Low price leaves huge salt stockpiled, hits farmers
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Apr 08: The salt industry of Cox's Bazar and Banskhali of Chittagong is on the verge of a collapse, as the farmers have a huge stockpile to sell at a time when salt price has plummeted.
Although cultivation of salt is going on in full swing, as the environment remains favourable this season, certain quarters are allegedly involved in importing salt.
According to Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) sources, around 70 thousand acres of land are now being used for salt cultivation. Cultivation of salt began in the month of October and the season ends in June.
0.75m tonnes of salt have already been produced during current season, while another 0.43m tonnes of salt are likely to be produced in the remaining part of the season.
Sources said, each maund of salt is now being sold at Tk 90 to Tk 95 only, while it was sold at Tk 150 to Tk 180 even during the month of January last.
Coast of producing salt using polythene bed is Tk 120 per maund. As the same salt is now being sold at lower price, the salt formers are in an awkward situation and they have stopped selling salt leaving a huge stock worth some billions of take in the field, the sources added.
Salt cultivators alleged that despite having a bumper harvest, a syndicate of businessmen in collaboration with broker gangs has imported salt furnishing false information to the concerned ministry.
CHITTAGONG, Apr 08: The salt industry of Cox's Bazar and Banskhali of Chittagong is on the verge of a collapse, as the farmers have a huge stockpile to sell at a time when salt price has plummeted.
Although cultivation of salt is going on in full swing, as the environment remains favourable this season, certain quarters are allegedly involved in importing salt.
According to Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) sources, around 70 thousand acres of land are now being used for salt cultivation. Cultivation of salt began in the month of October and the season ends in June.
0.75m tonnes of salt have already been produced during current season, while another 0.43m tonnes of salt are likely to be produced in the remaining part of the season.
Sources said, each maund of salt is now being sold at Tk 90 to Tk 95 only, while it was sold at Tk 150 to Tk 180 even during the month of January last.
Coast of producing salt using polythene bed is Tk 120 per maund. As the same salt is now being sold at lower price, the salt formers are in an awkward situation and they have stopped selling salt leaving a huge stock worth some billions of take in the field, the sources added.
Salt cultivators alleged that despite having a bumper harvest, a syndicate of businessmen in collaboration with broker gangs has imported salt furnishing false information to the concerned ministry.