Downstream Processing of National Industrial Salt Purification

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government’s target to achieve national salt self-sufficiency by 2027 is now being tested by contradictory realities on the ground. On one hand, the political commitment to end import dependency continues to be championed on the public stage. On the other hand, empirical data shows a conflicting trend. Throughout January to May 2026, the volume of industrial salt imports was recorded to have soared to 936,000 tonnes, a surge of approximately 13.1 percent compared to the same period the previous year. This figure confirms that the manufacturing sector’s need for foreign raw material supplies remains very high. The increase in import figures has sparked a strong reaction from legislators. Through its oversight function, the legislative body has firmly requested the government to tighten and limit additional salt import quotas. Behind the polemic of import restrictions, a fundamental question that is often overlooked arises: why does the national manufacturing industry seem reluctant to absorb salt produced by local farmers, even though the potential area for national salt ponds reaches 33,216 hectares? The fundamental problem of national salt production actually lies not in a lack of land area or a minimal harvest volume, but in a wide quality gap.