Australia, Indonesia's Main Salt Supplier in 2024

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesia imported 2.75 million tons of salt in 2024.

The volume decreased by 2% year-on-year (yoy) compared to imports in 2023, which reached 2.81 million tons.

In line with this, the value of Indonesia's salt imports in 2024 also decreased by 6.95% (yoy) to US$125.9 million.

In 2024, Australia was the largest supplier of salt to Indonesia. The volume reached 2.02 million tons, equivalent to 73% of total national imports.

The following is a list of countries of origin for salt imports to Indonesia in 2024:

1. Australia: 2.02 million tons
2. India: 723,950 tons
3. New Zealand: 2,490 tons
4. China: 1,840 tons
5. Thailand: 250 tons
6. Denmark: 198.1 tons
7. Germany: 194.6 tons
8. Other countries: 1,160 tons

Currently, the Indonesian government plans to reduce salt imports by increasing domestic production.

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) will begin constructing the National Salt Industry Center in Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara, in July 2025.

This area is targeted to be able to produce 3 million tons of salt, specifically to meet the needs of the manufacturing sector.

According to A. Koswara, Director General of Marine Management at the KKP, the area will be built on 10,000 hectares of land, complete with basic infrastructure such as roads, clean water supply, and electricity.

"With this plan, the National Salt Industry Center in Rote can substitute salt imports reaching 2.6 million tons per year. This is because the production capacity there can reach 3 million tons per year," said Koswara, as reported by Katadata.co.id, Wednesday (11/6/2025).