Prices have plummeted to rock bottom, leaving many salt warehouses in Nghe An province with excess stock.

Salt farmers in Quynh Nghia commune, Quynh Luu district, are producing salt. Photo: Xuan Hoang

In the salt fields of Quynh Nghia commune, Quynh Luu district (Nghe An province), salt farmers are still actively producing salt, despite prices hitting rock bottom. This year's salt harvest is considered favorable by the farmers, as the hot weather and high salinity of the seawater have resulted in faster salt crystallization. However, the farmers are more saddened than happy because they are facing the recurring problem of a bumper harvest but low prices.

Ms. Ho Thi Tung, a salt farmer and salt trader in Nghia Phu hamlet, Quynh Nghia commune, said: "The price of salt has now dropped to its lowest level, from 800 to 1,000 VND/kg, and consumption is also very slow, causing salt warehouses in the commune to be overflowing."

Salt farmers have to put in a lot of effort to produce salt, but the low price results in low income. Photo: Xuan Hoang

"Previously, salt prices ranged from 1,500 to 2,500 VND/kg, and salt farmers were happy because their income was commensurate with their efforts. But since salt prices have dropped sharply, many salt farmers are discouraged, although they still cling to the salt fields because it's their profession," Ms. Tung shared.

Quynh Luu district is the locality with the highest annual salt production in the province. According to Mr. Bui Xuan Truc, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of the district, salt farmers in the district produced 40,000 tons of salt in the first seven months of the year. However, the price of salt has dropped sharply since the beginning of the year, resulting in low income for salt producers.

The salt warehouse of Ms. Ho Thi Tung's family in Nghia Phu hamlet, Quynh Nghia commune, is full but has not been sold yet. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Similarly in Dien Chau district, salt prices have also dropped sharply; however, according to Mr. Le The Hieu - Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of the district, the unique characteristic of salt production in Dien Chau is that farmers do not sell directly to traders, but rather sell retail to those who specialize in transporting salt to mountainous areas for consumption. Therefore, the price of salt sold at the fields here is slightly higher, at 1,200 VND/kg.In the first seven months of 2020, Dien Chau district produced 5,000 tons of salt.

The reason for the sharp drop in salt prices in Nghe An province is partly due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has made the circulation of goods difficult. At the same time, this year's prolonged hot weather has allowed salt farmers to produce more salt, leading to an oversupply.