India's salt exports might take a hit in 2006 with China, the largest importer of salt from India, aiming to increase its total production capacity by six million metric tonnes (MMT).
If the figures presented by Mao Quingguo, General manager of China National Salt Industry Corporation (CNSIC) at the `International Conference on Salt 2006' are to be believed, then China, which had imported Indian salt in huge quantities in 2004 and 2005 will heavily cut down on imports in 2006.
Mao who gave his presentation on `Chinese Salt Market and the Development of Chlorine Industry' said, "Inspite of China standing second in the world with an annual salt production capacity of about 56 MMT, it had imported 4 MMT in just the first 11 months of 2005 which included over 2 MMT each from India and Australia".
According to export figures of the salt department of the Government of India, China was also the largest importer of Indian salt in 2004.
"Just like the Chinese Economy, Chinese salt industry is also experiencing rapid growth and over the last five years, the annual growth rate has exceeded 7 percent in this sector" Mao claimed.
{{/usCountry}}"Just like the Chinese Economy, Chinese salt industry is also experiencing rapid growth and over the last five years, the annual growth rate has exceeded 7 percent in this sector" Mao claimed.
{{/usCountry}}"As forcast for 2006, the total production capacity will increase by 6 MMT and at the same time, the demand for salt will increase by 4 MMT. Thus a situation of excessive production than demand will emerge whereby the amount of salt imported will shrink."