Salted fish business in Kotabaru threatened to close

Kotabaru, South Kalimantan 26/7 (AntaranewsKalsel) - Salted fish businesses in Kotabaru district, South Kalimantan, threatened to close, because of salt price continues to soar.

"The old salt stock is only four, it's only enough for a week, and if it runs out, should buy again," said a salted fish craftsman from Rampa Lama Village, North Pulaulaut Sub-district, Junaidi in Kotabaru on Wednesday.

He said in the past two weeks the price of a 50-kg sack of salt that previously Rp45,000 soared to Rp95,000, and continues to soar to now reach Rp200.000 per sack.

Usually he distributes the salt to neighbors. Many want to buy, but now he was forced to refuse to meet his own needs.

If in the next week the price of salt continues to skyrocket, Junaidi will likely stop the production of salted fish. He also strongly hopes government intervention to immediately stabilize the price and salt stock. In addition to the expensive price, salt is also rare in the market.

"I ask the government to bring salt quickly to Kotabaru, pity us craftsmen and fishermen," hope Junaidi.

The volatility of salt prices alone affects not only the business of salted fish, but also the fishermen society extensively.

If the craftsmen of salted fish stop the production, fishermen will have difficulty selling fish.

Head of Kotabaru Trade Agency H Mahyudiansyah has not been confirmed yet due to the high price ofsalt.