Salt production in Arakan State is very high given the hot weather and low rainfall this summer, said a salt trader from Sittwe.

However, with the salt yield increasing, the price of salt has been falling by the day, as the supply outpaces demand this salt season.

"In Sittwe market, salt price recently fell to 32 kyat from 46 kyat per viss, as salt production is very good in our state," the trader said.

A large amount of salt is sent to Burma proper by ship through the Rangoon port, but the price has been falling due to the high volume of salt coming though Sittwe from the rural salt farms.

Arakan State is a major salt producer in Burma, but there is no export market.

In the past few years, salt from Arakan was exported and fetched a high price in Bangladesh markets, but the exports stopped after Bangladesh salt producers opposed the trade when they began losing profits to the lower-priced salt from Burma.

"Salt production is very good this season in Arakan, but salt producers are suffering because of the falling prices. However, there are no plans by the government to provide a buttress for salt production in Arakan State," the trader said.

Even though Arakan State is a major salt producer in Burma, there are no factories and no one with the technical skills to produce salt of international quality. Because of this, Arakanese salt is primarily used for raw materials.

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