Salt Prices Soar, Trade Minister Zulhas: It's OK, Farmers Enjoy Profits Once A Year

JAKARTA - The Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan said, the increase in salt this Ramadan is still normal.

According to him, the increase was due to increased demand.

Moreover, said Zulhas, Zulkifli's nickname, for salt consumption, Indonesia relies on domestic production.

"We don't have salt to import, there isn't any salt for consumption. If it goes up a little domestically, that's fine so that salt farmers enjoy the profits once a year, not much," he said when met at Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Tuesday, April 4.

He believes that this 100 percent increase in consumption salt prices will not last long.

"The increase is 100 percent more, it's just a moment," he said.

Previously it was reported that the increase in the price of consumption salt was revealed by Upik, a trader at Pasar Rawamangun, East Jakarta.

Upik said, usually the price of salt is only IDR 100,000 per sack of 50 kilograms (kg). Now, the price reaches IDR 300,000 per kg.

According to Upik's calculations, with the purchase price, the selling price would be around IDR 6,000 per kg. He considered the selling price too expensive.

"Sir, please drop the salt, sir. The price goes up high. An increase of IDR 300,000 per sack (50kg), from previously IDR 100,000 per sack. Now it costs IDR 6,000 per kilogram," he told Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, at Rawamangun Market, East Jakarta, Monday, April 3.