A pinch of pink salt in India-Pak trade

THE trade ban imposed by New Delhi after the Pahalgam terror attack put brakes on the export of Himalayan Pink Salt from Pakistan to India, but has also provided local traders an opportunity to explore new markets.

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Pakistan is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of Himalayan Pink Salt. The Khewra pink salt mines in Punjab province is the largest mine in the country and has 30 processing units.

In 2024, Pakistan's total pink salt exports stood at 3,50,000 tonnes estimated to be worth USD 120 million.

After the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India took a series of measures, including immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post, used for movement of certain kinds of goods.

In retaliation, Pakistan too announced that "all trade with India, including to and from any third country through Pakistan, is suspended forthwith."

The trade ban hit the exporters of Himalayan Pink Salt, which is in high demand on the other side of the border. "India has been one of the biggest importers of Himalayan pink salt from Pakistan. The ban has meant zero exports to that country," Mansoor Ahmed, a senior director in Ghani International, one of the top exporters of pink salt and related products, said.

"For years, Indian importers imported raw Himalayan pink salt from Pakistan and then it was refined, packaged and marketed/exported to other countries as a finished Indian product at higher prices," Mansoor claimed.

That is why India was ranked among the top three exporters of salt with Pakistan and China, he said, adding, "It is only Pakistan, not India or China that produces Himalayan Pink Salt."