Moulmein -- Consumers in Mon State are now buying imported salt from Thailand because of the decline in salt production.

According to a local business source, many salt fields were destroyed by rain during the dry season this year.  The imported salt in Mon State is coming from Thailand through the Maesot Thai Burma border and it is also being sold in other areas of Burma.

“The price of salt is about the same, 400 Kyats for a Viss.  The Thai salt is more beautiful and last to evaporate. I prefer using the Thai,” said a housewife from Ngan Tay of Moulmein, the capital city of Mon State.

A fisherman from Asin of Ye Township, however, said, “I prefer to use the local salt for our fishing industry.  Thai salt has changed some colour and ours is better to preserve fish and maintain the natural taste.

In October, 2008, Maj-Gen Tha Aye visited Mon State and the SPDC authorities met with salt producers.  The meeting on the production of sun-dried salt and iodized salt was held in Moulmein when the SPDC General invited salt entrepreneurs from Thaton, Thanbyu Zayat and Ye Townships.

Last year, the price of salt tripled when Burma was hit by Cyclone Nargis, which damaged salt-producing areas as well as rice fields. More than 1,000 acres of state-owned salt fields and 23,430 acres of privately owned salt fields were destroyed by the cyclone.