The government has been urged to re-examine additional quotas for industrial salt imports following a rise in import realizations at the start of 2026.
Imports of industrial salt under HS code 25010093 reached around 936 thousand tons from January to May 2026. This figure rose 13.1 percent compared to the same period last year.
Celios Economic Director Nailul Huda said the balance sheet of domestic salt needs and production needs to be published regularly. He argued this step is important so that import decisions can be planned properly and do not disrupt the 2027 salt self-sufficiency target.
Nailul also highlighted the import pattern followed by importers since the beginning of the year. According to him local salt production usually starts in the summer so policy uncertainty pushes companies to stockpile earlier.
