Workers collect salt to store in warehouses. Post Staff
Despite being registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) product nearly two years ago, Kampot-Kep salt exports have fallen to their lowest level in 2024, according to Bun Narin, president of the Association of GI Kampot-Kep Salt Producers.
The government, through the Ministry of Commerce, officially recognised Kampot-Kep salt as a GI good on April 26, 2023. This designation aims to provide legal protection, expand markets and enhance the value of the product compared to regular salt.
Narin told The Post on December 9 that factors such as geographical disputes, political conflicts, the global economic crisis and the rising market share of cheaper natural mineral salt have contributed to a sharp decline in the country’s GI salt exports over the past year. He noted that the product had been exported to key markets in Europe and Japan.
“The export of Kampot-Kep GI salt to international markets in 2024 is at its lowest level, at only about 5 tonnes. Generally, the export of GI salt is carried out in connection with GI Kampot-Kep pepper products. The demand for salt and pepper products remains closely linked,” he explained.
Narin highlighted that the prices in 2024 have dropped significantly compared to 2023. He noted that GI salt is sold domestically for 12,000-15,000 riel (approximately $3-$3.75) per 50 kilogramme. He attributed the decline to a higher yield in the 2023-2024 season, which exceeded 100,000 tonnes.
Earlier in 2024, Narin noted that the country had also exported various types of GI salt products, including matted, coarse, flower and leaf salt.
Bun Barang, a salt producer and owner of an import company which operates during periods of shortage, reported that this year’s harvest is much higher, resulting in a price drop of about 50% compared to 2023.
He said the current average price of regular salt is approximately 10,000 riel ($2.5) per 50 kilogramme bag, down from over 20,000 riel ($5) last year. He added that there has been no significant import of salt in recent years.
"The increased salt production in 2024 has led to Cambodia having a large stockpile, while the price has significantly decreased compared to 2023," Barang added.
Salt production in Cambodia typically runs from late December to mid-May, though in some years, hot weather can extend the season until early July. Under favourable weather conditions, one hectare of land yields an average of 20 tonnes of salt annually, with most of the production concentrated in Kampot province.
In 2023, Kampot-Kep’s salt fields spanned approximately 4,748 hectares, similar to the previous year. As a matter of policy, land used for cultivation is reserved exclusively for salt production and cannot be converted for housing or other commercial purposes.
According to the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, the country requires between 70,000 -100,000 tonnes of salt annually to meet domestic demand. In addition to local production, salt is also imported from provinces along the Thai and Vietnamese borders to supplement supply.
Sim Nary, director of the Kampot provincial industry department, reported that production in the province has just begun, with harvests usually starting in early January. She attributed the higher output in 2024 – more than 120,000 tonnes – to the hot and prolonged weather conditions of the previous year.
