Indonesia's Salt Production Fluctuated During 2020-2024

Based on data from the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), domestic salt production fluctuated between 2020 and 2024.

For example, from 2020 to 2022, Indonesia's salt production appeared sluggish. The KKP recorded salt production of 1.36 million tons in 2020, which then dropped to 0.7 million tons in 2022. After 2022, salt production significantly increased to 2.5 million tons.

However, in 2024, salt production fell again to 2.04 million tons. Nevertheless, compared to the target set in the KKP's 2020-2024 Strategic Plan of 2 million tons, the KKP considers this production to have exceeded the target.

The KKP explained that one solution implemented to boost salt production is the development and application of Tunnel House technology. The aim of this technology is to optimize the salt production process, especially in less favorable weather conditions.

According to the KKP, the implementation of this technology also allows for control of the salt production environment, making the evaporation process more efficient, regardless of limitations during the dry season.

Previously, the KKP planned to build a National Salt Industry Center in Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), in July 2025. This area is expected to produce approximately 3 million tons of salt specifically for the manufacturing sector.

The Director General of Marine Management at the KKP, A. Koswara, stated that his office will build a special salt production industrial area covering 10,000 hectares in Rote Ndao Regency, NTT. The government will build one of ten zones within this industrial area along with its basic infrastructure, such as roads, raw water supply, and electricity.

"With this plan, the National Salt Industry Center in Rote can substitute imported salt, which reaches 2.6 million tons per year. This is because the production capacity there can reach 3 million tons per year," said Koswara at his office on Wednesday, June 11, 2025).