The decision was taken based on a consensus among the marine and fisheries ministry, the industry ministry, the trade ministry and the economic affairs coordinating ministry.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government has decided to allow the importation of 500,000 tons of salt to meet domestic consumers` demand until salt farmers` harvest time, a senior trade official said.

"We will allow the importation of 500,000 tons to meet domestic need for 3.5 months and to form a stockpile. This has been agreed on by all government agencies concerned." Deddy Saleh, director general of international trade at the trade ministry, said here Friday.

The decision was taken based on a consensus among the marine and fisheries ministry, the industry ministry, the trade ministry and the economic affairs coordinating ministry, he said.

The government would later name the companies that could conduct the importing process based on their performance in previous imports and absorbing farmers` salt.

Deddy had earlier said the government would allow salt imports before domestic salt farmers entered their harvest season this year.

The government would see to it that imports would cease at least one month before the start of the grand salt harvest in 2012. The harvest season normally begins in July but the grand harvest happens in August.

The decision to allow salt imports was made as the existing consumer salt stockpile as per late December 2011 totaled 306,000 tons which was not enough to meet demand until salt harvest time because consumption averaged 120,000 tons per month.

Deddy said the marine and fisheries ministry had initially opposed the idea of importing salt but changed its mind after obtaining the calculation of the existing consumer salt stockpile.

Marine and Fisheries Minister Sharif Cicip Sutardjo eventually acknowledged that salt imports were needed to prevent a shortage before the domestic salt harvest season arrived.

"But after two or three months, when domestic salt has become available, we will stop the imports," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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