Owing to delayed onset of the monsoon, the salt production had been extended by two weeks this year, Michael Motha, salt manufacturer cum exporter from Thoothukudi and Vice Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry, Thoothukudi, said. Usually, production comes to a halt in the middle of October following monsoon rains here. More importantly, salt production in Gujarat, the largest contributor in India, slashed down by 30 to 35 per cent as a result of torrential rains there. On the other hand, with bacterial pollution remaining a factor, causing the largest bird tragedy at Sambhar Salt Lake in Rajasthan, the second largest producer in India, production did not take off owing to restrictions. Such an unhealthy trend triggered a production shortfall of about 25 lakh tonnes in Rajasthan and altogether it gave rise to demand for Thoothukudi salt, which stands third in salt production.

The demand for salt grew due to COVID-19 pandemic too as it has been used by many as a disinfectant for washing vegetables and gargling. The above scenarios heightened the demand for Thoothukudi salt, and now, the spike in demand has jacked up the price of Thoothukudi salt to a new high, Motha told DT Next. As of now, a tonne of quality raw salt fetches price ranging from Rs 1,800 to Rs 1,900 against its average price of Rs 1,200. Further, Motha said initially production was affected by COVID for about a month early this year.

ARAS Dhanabalan, secretary, Thoothukudi Small Scale Salt Manufacturers Association, said since salt pans and approach ways remain waterlogged, the finished product could not be transported and dispatched to buyers as trucks could hardly make their way to load the commodity.

According to S Petchimuthu, COVID-19 proved beneficial for the salt producers. If rains occurred even after the monsoon season, salt price could still spike next year, he said.