Covid spices up salt business in Gujarat; consumption up 40% in 2 months

RAJKOT: When the first lockdown came into force in March, edible salt manufacturers in Kutch were staring at a massive pile up of stock. But the rapid spread of coronavirus and government aid to the poor during lockdown has resulted in salt consumption increasing by around 40% in May and June.
While the governments have distributed crores of ration kits that included one kg salt, there has been a manifold increase in the number of households regularly using salt for gargling and sanitizing vegetables as prescribed by experts and doctors.

Kutch manufactures nearly three crore tonnes of salt annually, accounting for 80% of the country’s consumption.
According to rough estimates, Kutch was transporting six lakh tonnes of edible salt every month before lockdown, which increased to 10 lakh ton per month during May and June.
Shamji Kangad, vice-president, Indian Salt Manufacturers Association (ISMA), said, “Covid is one of the major reasons for increased uptake of salt. Patients who test positive and healthy people too suffering from sore throat and cough are now diligently following Ayurveda to gargle. Entire families are following this practice now.”
“In big cities, people have been advised to soak vegetables in salt water for a few hours as a precautionary measure before using them,” Kangad added.
There are nearly 15 refineries in Gandhidham which refine, package and transport salt and almost all the big brands have a presence here.
Bacchu Aahir, president of Gujarat Salt Refineries Welfare Association added, “Governments, NGOs and corporates distributed crores of ration kits to the migrants and poor during the lockdown. These kits included a packet of one kg salt.”
Refiners say they also witnessed panic buying during the lockdown with people stocking up on unusually high quantities of salt. Salt manufacturers said there was no shortage and enough stock is available to meet the demand.