Kumar’s usual sales volume of 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes of pink salt per quarter now faces an uncertain future due to this ban. He emphasizes that even with thin profit margins, the bulk nature of the trade made it viable; a situation now interrupted indefinitely.
The Himalayan Pink Salt, renowned for its pink hue from mineral traces such as iron, is employed in cooking, decorative items, and spa treatments. It is also favored by Hindus for religious fasts due to its non-marine origin.
Mined in Pakistan
Extraction of Himalayan pink salt takes place at the Khewra Salt Mine in Punjab, Pakistan, the world’s second-largest salt mine. Approximately 30 salt processing units are located there, where the salt is mined and transported for dispatch. Although the mine draws thousands of tourists annually, its output primarily supports industrial usage, with a smaller portion for consumption.
The salt is exported in its raw form to India for further processing and marketing.
Prices Swell
India relies heavily on Pakistan for its supply of Himalayan pink salt. The ban following the Pahalgam incident has pushed up prices substantially, impacting traders andاه voking concerns over stockpile exhaustion.
In Amritsar, the price per kilogramme of salt has jumped from 45-50 rupees to a minimum of 60 rupees. In Kolkata, prices soared to 70-80 rupees per kilogramme, reflecting a 15-20% increase in the eastern region.
Despite these price hikes, demand for the Himalayan rock salt remains steady, particularly during festivals when it is favored over marine salt for religious fasts.
Questions are raised about finding alternative sources for Himalayan pink salt to mitigate the impact of disrupted trade relations with Pakistan.
Pakistani exporters perceive the ban as a chance to expand their global market share without Indian competition. They aim to add value to their exports instead of sending salt in its raw form.
Trade Decline
The plummet in trade began with the 2019 Pulwama attack on Indian security forces in Kashmir. India reacted by revoking Pakistan’s Most Favoured Nation status and imposition of heavy tariffs on Pakistani imports.
Imports of pink salt dipped sharply from 74,457 metric tonnes in 2018 to 642 metric tonnes in 2024, a consequence of the increased tariffs.
India’s exports to Pakistan were valued at $447.7m from April 2014 to January 2025, while Pakistan’s exports to India during the same period amounted to only $420,000.
Before the current ban, India’s exports to Pakistan included a wide range of goods, while it typically imported copper articles, raw cotton, fruits, salt, minerals, and specialty chemicals from Pakistan.
Salt traders like Kumar are now confronted with a two-fold challenge: a price hike from 3.50 to 24.50 rupees per kilogram due to the 2019 tariffs, and the halting of supply via third countries like Dubai due to the recent ban. The recent ban has further complicated the situation, affecting businesses that rely on the Himalayan pink rock salt, such as the production of decorative lamps.
With no clear end to the trade restrictions in sight, traders and manufacturers are contemplating sourcing alternatives to ensure the continuity of their operations.
