Pak Salt Exports Face Rejection: Packaging Issues

Karachi, Apr 17 (PTI) A Pakistani salt industry body on Friday said it has urged exporters and customs authorities to take corrective measures after several consignments were rejected by international buyers due to poor packaging.

Pakistan Salt Manufacturers Association Chairperson Saima Akhtar said during its meeting with the Collector of Customs Export, PSMA emphasised the need to strictly comply with packaging standards to prevent the erosion of Pakistan's salt exports.

"In the last few months, some consignments have been returned by international buyers because of poor and damaged packaging," she said.

"We have requested the Collector of Customs Export to ensure that consignments are not damaged during handling," Akhtar said.

Pakistan is the 14th largest salt exporter in the world, sending its products to markets including the US, China, the UAE, and Canada, with pink salt being its biggest export.


Akhtar said Pakistan earned USD 120 million from 350,000 tonnes of salt exports in 2024, while the data for 2025 has not been released yet.

Although shipments have risen, some of the consignments were rejected by importers because of poor and damaged packaging, she said.

"We raised the matter to ensure there are no further complaints," Akhtar added.

Last year, Pakistan's salt exports to China surged by 24 per cent, reaching USD 6.04 million in the first 10 months.

Local salt exporter Hussain Baksh said the government has not taken sufficient steps to promote the export of pink salt, especially after India banned its direct import from Pakistan.

"India was one of (our) biggest markets before the ban. Even now, Indian traders source Pakistani pink salt from Dubai and sell it across the globe under their own labels," he claimed.