Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, voiced confidence that the country could end its reliance on salt imports by late 2027.
“Hopefully, by the end of 2027, we will have all types of salt. No more imports,” Hasan said on Tuesday.
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono also expressed confidence that Indonesia will become self-sufficient in salt by the end of 2027. He noted that the government will begin gradually cutting back on salt imports between 2025 and 2026.
“Currently, salt for consumption, industry, food processing, and pharmaceuticals is still imported. Under the coordination of Minister Hasan and the president’s order, we aim to achieve full self-sufficiency across all salt types by the end of 2027,” Trenggono said.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries aims to produce five million tons of salt at the National Salt Industry Center (K-SIGN) located in Rote Ndao District, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province.
The development of K-SIGN in Indonesia’s southernmost region is vital, as the country still depends on imported salt. Rote Ndao, the site of the project, is recognized for producing premium-quality salt, as confirmed by salinity levels and lab analyses. Minister Trenggono previously stated that the center could generate jobs for over 26,600 people.
Besides providing employment for the local community, K-SIGN is anticipated to boost the local economy.
Trenggono affirmed that the economic benefits will reach beyond K-SIGN’s direct workforce to include supporting businesses like vendors, parking attendants, fishmongers, and more. The government has committed Rp2 trillion (approximately $120.5 million) for the development of K-SIGN.
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