Salt industry support program boosted domestic output in second quarter

MANILA, Philippines – Despite heavy dependence on imports, the Philippines saw local salt production surge in the first semester of 2026, driven by a government campaign to revitalize the industry.

Salt output was pegged at 199,293 metric tons (MT) from January to June this year, data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) showed.

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Although BFAR did not provide comparative data, the figure has already surpassed the average domestic output for the period, pegged at 114,623.29 MT, according to a 2024 study from the Philippine Journal of Fisheries.

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Despite the increase, output only covered 16.8 percent of the country’s total demand of 683,000 MT.

BFAR said the sector’s growth is fueled by the Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP), which aims to revitalize nationwide salt production by supporting local producers, improving technologies and expanding livelihood opportunities in coastal communities.

“We are pleased with this development. The DA-BFAR will continuously support the Philippine salt industry until it reaches its full potential,” BFAR national director Elizer Salilig said.

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The Philippines has 36,000 kilometers of shoreline, yet it sources 93 percent of its salt requirements from abroad.

BFAR reiterated its commitment to expanding the reach of DSIP to empower more coastal communities, contributing to the country’s growing salt sector. INQ

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