Himalayan Pink Salt Trade Hit by India-Pakistan Tensions
Lahore, June 2025 – The long-standing trade of Himalayan pink salt between Pakistan and India has abruptly ended after India imposed a fresh ban on all imports from Pakistan. This move has caused serious challenges for Pakistan’s salt exporters, many of whom are now facing uncertainty and financial strain.
The trade ban, which came into effect in early May, includes a complete halt on both direct and indirect imports from Pakistan. Though the overall trade value of pink salt was not very large, its suspension carries symbolic weight and economic consequences—especially for areas in Pakistan that depend on salt mining and exports for income.
For more than 30 years, the renowned Khewra Salt Mine in Punjab — one of the largest salt reserves globally — has been a major source of raw Himalayan pink salt for Indian buyers. This salt has been widely used in Indian households, health products, wellness centers, and decorative items. Indian businesses used to import about 2,500 tonnes every quarter, but the ban has now triggered supply shortages and rising prices across Indian cities.
The ban hasn’t only hurt exporters in Pakistan. Small businesses and shopkeepers in India, who relied on this salt for retail, are also feeling the impact. Pakistani exporters are now urgently looking for alternative markets. Many are shifting their focus to countries in the Middle East, Europe, and North America, with an added emphasis on exporting finished, packaged salt products rather than raw materials. This strategic shift is aimed at increasing profit margins and reducing reliance on a single country.
Analysts say that while the ban is a setback, it could also serve as an opportunity for Pakistan’s salt industry to evolve and expand globally. By exploring new partnerships and improving value-added exports, Pakistan could strengthen its position in the international market.
For now, the fallout from the halted salt trade continues to affect both countries, proving how political actions can disrupt everyday economic life and regional cooperation.
