2016 People's Salt Production Plummets 96 Percent

Indonesia's artisanal salt production plummeted 96 percent in 2016 compared to the previous year due to exceptionally high rainfall. Extreme climate change resulted in intense rainfall across Indonesia, causing a sharp decline in artisanal salt production. Data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries recorded artisanal salt production in 2016 at only 188,000 tons, down from 2.9 million tons the previous year. This was the first such decline since 2014.

The sharp drop in national salt production was due to a significant reduction in output from major salt-producing areas. Artisanal salt production in Cirebon in 2016 plunged by more than 99 percent to 591 tons, compared to 435,000 tons the previous year. Similarly, salt production in Sampang decreased by more than 98 percent to 7,000 tons from 399,000 tons the previous year.

Furthermore, salt production in Pati fell by 98 percent to 6,000 tons in 2016 from 382,000 tons the previous year. Indramayu also experienced a 98 percent drop, reaching 6,000 tons compared to 317 million tons the previous year. Finally, Sumenep saw a 96 percent decrease, producing 10,000 tons compared to 236,000 tons the previous year.