Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has said her ministry recommended the government import 2.1 million tons of salt for the industry and consumption to meet the country’s demand, after considering local farmers' production.

“The import quota that we recommend is 2.1 million tons,” said Susi, when speaking to lawmakers during a hearing in Jakarta on Monday as reported by kontan.co.id.

Meanwhile, the director general for the ministry's maritime sea territory management, Brahmantya Setyamurti, explained that the total salt needs of the industry and consumption would be at 3.9 million tons this year, while local production would reach 1.5 million tons and the remaining stock at 340,000 tons.

Brahmantya explained that in 2017, the total local salt commodity reached 1.1 million tons.

Meanwhile, previously, the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister had agreed to provide a quota of 3.7 million tons of salt. The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry called on the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister to reduce the quota based on local demand.  

Member of the House’s Commission IV for Maritime Affairs Andi Akmal Passluddin called on the government to import salt based on the right calculations. “We reject the plan to import more salt than what is needed,” he added.  (bbn)