MARD: Vietnam Produces 415,000 Tons of Salt in Jan-May
Vietnam reportedly produced 415,000 tons of salt in the first five months this year, down 14.8 per cent on-year, although salt fields were up 16 per cent to 14,403 hectares, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said.
Abnormal rains in late December 2008 and March 2009, which caused losses of tens of billions dong, are the major reason for the salt output decrease, the ministry said.
Prices of salt have dropped in southern provinces since early this year due to poor quality, upsetting local farmers.
A kilo of salt is currently standing at only VND1,400-VND1,700 in northern region, VND700-VND1,600 in southeastern region, and VND1,000-VND1,500 in the Mekong Delta region, down from VND2,200-VND2,400 late last year.
Analysts said Vietnam with more than 3,000 kilometer of coastline still has to import salt to meet its demand. (Youth)
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