By Ijaz Kakakhel

Pakistan’s pink salt exports increased from $35 million in FY25 to $36 million in FY26, while the export volume rose substantially, reflecting growing overseas demand and the impact of government efforts to strengthen the product’s international identity and market positioning.

According to an official document, a copy of which is available with Wealth Pakistan, the quantity of pink salt exported from Pakistan increased from 127,924 tonnes in FY25 to 148,071 tonnes in FY26. The government assessment indicates that the exports have not incurred an economic loss. However, considerable scope remains to capture higher returns through value addition, branding, packaging, and stronger retail positioning in international markets.

Pakistan possesses extensive rock salt resources of exceptional purity, with deposits reaching up to 99 per cent purity. The Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) estimates the country’s rock salt reserves at more than 65 million metric tonnes, including over 36 million metric tonnes of PMDC-controlled reserves. These comprise pink rock salt from the Salt Range and grey salt from the Kohat Saline Series.

A major part of Pakistan’s strategy has been to establish a distinct geographical identity for the product. Salt commonly marketed internationally as “Himalayan Pink Salt” has been registered and promoted by Pakistan as “Khewra Pink Rock Salt” to reinforce its Pakistani origin. The product received Geographical Indication (GI) registration on July 18, 2022, and currently has 17 authorised users.

The government has also worked to improve export documentation and pricing. As no dedicated customs classification previously existed for pink salt, HS Code 2501.0021 was introduced to maintain a separate export record, with the change incorporated through the Finance Bill 2023-24. A minimum export price of $130 per metric tonne was subsequently introduced to discourage under-invoicing at the export stage.

International promotion has complemented these regulatory measures. The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) showcased pink rock salt at the Pakistan Pavilion during the World Expo 2025 Osaka under the theme “Universe in a Grain of Salt.” The pavilion featured salt installations, information on the history of Pakistan’s pink salt, a video on the Khewra Salt Mines, an interactive digital table and a Healing Garden. Pakistani salt companies have also participated in FoodAg Karachi and major international exhibitions, including Gulfood (UAE), Anuga (Germany), SIAL (France, Canada and Malaysia), Foodex Japan and MIHAS (Malaysia).

The government has further supported buyer-seller meetings, trade delegations, product profiling, market intelligence and capacity-building activities. At the institutional level, PMDC oversees the reserves and matters relating to the product and authorised users, IPO-Pakistan handles GI protection and registration, while TDAP is responsible for trade promotion and export marketing.

However, the next stage of growth increasingly depends on commercial value addition. Developing internationally recognised Pakistani salt brands requires sustained investment in product development, premium packaging, certification, retail placement and private-sector marketing. These responsibilities primarily rest with authorised exporters, while the government continues to provide GI protection, export pricing measures and trade promotion support.

With export volumes already expanding, stronger private-sector branding and processing could help Pakistan move beyond bulk salt shipments towards higher-value products, enabling the country to derive greater commercial returns from one of its most distinctive mineral resources.

Credit: INP-WealthPk