Farmers in Cox’s Bazar are angry over the permission to import salt from abroad before the start of the season, warning of a movement.
The Ministry of Commerce has allowed the import of 150,000 tonnes of unrefined salt to some areas of Cox’s Bazar, Maheshkhali, Kutubdia, Chakaria, Pekua, Teknaf and Banshkhali before the start of the new salt season. Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) officials said that the import of this amount of salt was recommended due to fears of a possible shortage.
However, salt farmers are angry with this decision of the Ministry of Commerce. They claim that there is no shortage of salt in the country. After a few months of losses, the farmers have started seeing some profit, only when they have been allowed to import. (Cox’s Bazar 2,) Alhaj Alamgir Md. Mahmudullah Farid, Member of Parliament for Maheshkhali-Kutubdia constituency, has called on the government to stop the import of salt. He said that there are thousands of tons of salt reserves in the country. There is no need to import salt there. He also said that the government had allowed the import of salt last year. I myself and the leaders of the Salt Farmers’ Association informed the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industries about the matter, and the government canceled that decision. But there was no salt crisis. Therefore, I am calling for the cancellation of this decision to import salt. Alhaj Abdul Shukur CIP, President of Cox’s Bazar Chamber and Advisor to the Salt Farmers’ Association, said that the farmers are ready to go on a movement if the government does not stop the import of salt.
According to BSCIC data, the total demand for refined salt in the country in the current fiscal year 2026-27 has been estimated at 2.1 million tons. Of this, 7.5 million tons are for edible salt, 9.5 million tons are for industrial use, 37,000 tons are for fish farming, and 306,000 tons are for the livestock sector. The salt production season in the country usually runs from November to May.
On the other hand, there are currently 490,000 tons of salt in the field and 177,000 tons in the mill. The demand in the country is about 220,000 tons per month. Last season, the production cost of salt per maund was 320 to 330 taka. At the beginning of the season, farmers sold salt at a loss of 40 to 50 taka. At the end of the season, the price started increasing. Currently, they are seeing some profit as it is being sold at 380 taka per maund. If imports are allowed at such a time, the price will come down.
Sarwar Hossain, head of BSCIC’s salt cell, said that production was slightly lower last season. Currently, there are 490,000 tons of salt in the field and 177,000 tons in the mill. The country’s demand per month is about 220,000 tons. Accordingly, the current stock will last until December 1. The new season’s salt will start arriving before then. However, there was very little production in the first two months of the season last year. From that experience, it has been recommended to import due to the fear of a possible crisis of 20 to 25 days.
Salt traders Mohsin and Ataur Rahman Oble, farmers said that if the government needs to purchase 150,000 metric tons of salt from Maheshkhali Kutubdia, we are ready. Otherwise, if salt is imported, farmers will not enter the field. Therefore, the farmers demanded that the decision to import salt be canceled to keep this domestic industry alive. Salt farmer Russell said that we are buying 40 taka per kg of salt from the market, but we are not getting even 10 taka per kg of salt. We want to get rid of this discrimination.