Indonesia is targeting national salt production of 5 million metric tons by 2029 as the government moves to end salt imports within the next three years. Qodari, head of the Indonesian Government Communication Agency, announced the initiative at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday, detailing a stepped reduction plan to phase out foreign purchases entirely.
Phasing Out Foreign Salt Purchases by 2029
Under the newly outlined strategy, salt imports will decrease progressively from a baseline of approximately 2.6 million tons. According to Qodari, incoming shipments are targeted to drop to 2 million tons in 2026, shrink to 1 million tons in 2027, and eventually reach zero by 2029. During the Jakarta briefing, officials characterized the country’s reliance on foreign salt as a stark contradiction for a nation possessing one of the longest coastlines in the world.
Did You Know? Indonesia relies on a baseline of around 2.6 million tons of imported salt annually, a figure the government aims to completely eliminate despite the nation’s extensive coastline.
Investing in the East Nusa Tenggara Salt Hub
A primary driver for the increased domestic output is the development of the National Salt Industry Center Area, known as KSIGN, situated on roughly 2,000 hectares in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara. The large-scale project requires an estimated Rp2 trillion, equivalent to US$112.8 million, in total investment. Government projections indicate the hub will push national yields to 2.5 million tons in 2026, 3.5 million tons in 2027, and finally hit the 5 million ton goal by 2029.
Construction Phases and Production Timelines
Development at the Rote Ndao site is moving forward in distinct stages. Approximately 616 hectares of the total 2,000-hectare area are already developed and actively producing, with an initial harvest scheduled for November 2026. A second phase will cover an additional 751 hectares, focusing on new salt ponds alongside essential supporting infrastructure. Qodari confirmed that this phase involves building necessary facilities such as roads, storage spaces, processing units, and water pumps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Indonesia’s salt production goal for 2029?
The Indonesian government is targeting a national salt production volume of 5 million metric tons by 2029.
How will salt imports change over the next few years?
Imports are slated to fall from a baseline of about 2.6 million tons down to 2 million tons in 2026, 1 million tons in 2027, and zero by 2029.
Where is the primary salt industry center located?
The National Salt Industry Center Area is being developed on approximately 2,000 hectares in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara.