2018 Salt Import Quota: 3.7 Million Tons

Based on the industrial salt needs, the government has set this year's salt import quota at 3.7 million tons. Of this amount, the Ministry of Trade has issued import permits for 2.37 million tons. The remaining 1.33 million tons will be imported gradually until the end of the year.

(Read Databoks: How Much is the Industrial Salt Requirement?)

Following the controversy surrounding salt imports, the authority to recommend industrial salt imports has reverted to the Ministry of Industry, as it is considered to best understand the needs of the industrial salt sector. Previously, the recommendation for salt imports was under the authority of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesia's salt imports during the January-February 2018 period reached 299,000 tons, valued at US$9.5 million. This import volume increased by 62% compared to the same period the previous year, which was only 184,000 tons. Meanwhile, salt imports in 2017 increased by 19% to 2.53 million tons from 2.14 million tons the previous year. However, the value decreased by 2.81% to US$83.6 million from US$86 million the previous year.

(Read Databoks: Where Does Indonesia Import Salt From?)