Some of the salt farmers in Mon State, who have suffered losses for two years in a row, told Than Lwin Times that they could not resume their business at the beginning of this year's salt season and had to stop.

Salt farmers are suffering from two consecutive years of heavy rains, high fuel prices, and high general expenses.

"Last year, our salt production was low. We expected to produce about 400,000 viss of salt, but we only got 200,000 viss. Some small salt businesses cannot operate because of high costs," a salt farmer said.

In Mon State, the salt drying process starts every year in October, but this year some salt industries have stopped.

"In 2021, we only got half of the salt production due to La Nina, extreme weather. In 2022, the return of La Nina resulted in a decrease in salt production, so the price rose reasonably, but there was no profit.

Because it is a traditional business, we continue to operate at a loss. If we lose for three years in a row, we will be out of business forever," a salt farmer said.

More than 40,000 viss of sun-dried salt are produced annually in Ye, Paung and  Thanbyuzayat in Mon State. In the previous year, just 20,000 viss of salt were produced as a result of the severe rains.

Sun-dried salt is exported to a number of regions and states, including Mandalay and Yangon.

However, because of the military takeover, the majority of salt producers face having to completely halt their operations.