India banned, now Pakistan is putting ‘salt’ to China, traders are becoming pauper

After India imposed a ban on import of Himalayan pink salt (rock salt) coming from Pakistan, Pakistan’s traders have broken their back. On 22 April, Jammu and Kashmir’s After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam , India completely abolished all business relations with Pakistan. 26 innocent people died in this attack, after which India took a tough stand and banned Pakistani goods.

Pakistan had a direct impact on salt business

Khevda located in Punjab province of Pakistan is one of the world’s largest rock salt mines. There are more than 30 processing units here which send millions of tons of salt every year. In 2024, Pakistan exported 3.5 lakh tonnes of rock salt, the estimated price was around $ 12 million. The largest importer of these was India, where this salt was bought well. But now this export has a complete break on this export due to the ban on business.

prices increased in retail market, still not getting relief

Gani International Senior Director Mansoor Ahmed while talking to PTI said that after the closure of trade with India, now the retail market is selling rock salt for Rs 70 to 80 per kg, whereas earlier it was sold for Rs 45 to 50 per kg. Although Pakistan businessmen are trying to strengthen their hold in other markets of the world by considering it a chance, but the reality is that a big and permanent buyer like India is no longer with them.

China became a new customer, but not profit is old like

Shehzad Javed, CEO of Pakistan’s major company Ittefaq Companies, claims that Pakistan exported 136.4 million kg of rock salt to China in the first quarter of 2025, priced at $ 18.3 million. This is 40 percent more than last year. However, experts believe that China’s order is temporary and does not have a constant and big profit like India. China itself is a big salt producer, so its needs are limited.

try to send to many countries, but the path is not easy

Pakistan is now trying to increase exports to countries like America, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Turkas, Italy, Britain, Japan, Russia. But this is not as simple as Pakistan is thinking. The business rules, taxes, and testing standard of each country are different. Also, other suppliers already exist in these countries.

Businessmen are getting upset, it is difficult to compensate for losses

Pakistan salt manufacturer association (SMAP) president Syima Akhtar says that there is a demand for our salt in the world, but losing the market of India is a big shock for us. India’s population, demand for rock salt in the festivals there and the presence of constant buyers was a permanent income source for Pakistani businessmen, which is now completely over.