India-Pakistan Conflict & Himalayan Pink Salt Trade
India’s ban on Pakistani goods, stemming from the Kashmir conflict, has choked the Himalayan pink salt trade, sending prices soaring across India. This disruption, directly impacting businesses like Vipan Kumar’s, stems from a ban preventing imports, notably salt from Pakistan’s Khewra mines, a primary source for this sought-after commodity.The cost of this essential mineral has surged considerably, with some areas witnessing nearly a 60% price hike, affecting consumers and traders alike. While India seeks option sources, Pakistan aims to capitalize on the situation, hoping to boost its value-added exports and bypass Indian traders. For insightful perspectives on geopolitical shifts and their economic consequences,turn to News Directory 3. Discover what’s next in this evolving trade landscape.
India’s Trade Ban Disrupts Himalayan Pink Salt Supply
Updated June 9, 2025
India’s ban on imports from Pakistan, enacted after deadly violence in Kashmir, has considerably impacted the Himalayan pink salt trade. Vipan Kumar, a trader in Amritsar, Punjab, said his business has “come to a screeching halt” due to the ban, which prevents the import of Pakistani goods, including those routed through third countries.
Himalayan pink salt, known for its distinctive color and mineral content, is mined primarily at the Khewra salt Mine in pakistan. The salt is popular in India for cooking, religious fasting, and decorative purposes. The disruption in supply has led to rising prices across Indian markets.
Gurveen Singh, another Amritsar-based trader, noted that prices have already increased since the ban. The cost of Himalayan pink salt has risen from 45-50 rupees per kilogram to at least 60 rupees, with some areas like Kolkata seeing prices as high as 80 rupees per kilogram. The rising cost of Himalayan pink salt is impacting consumers.
The trade decline between India and Pakistan began after a 2019 attack in Pulwama. India revoked Pakistan’s Most Favoured Nation status and imposed tariffs of 200% on Pakistani imports.According to India’s Ministry of Commerce, exports to Pakistan totaled $447.7 million from April 2024 to January 2025, while imports from Pakistan were only $420,000.
Faizan Panjwani, COO of RM Salt in Karachi, believes the ban could benefit Pakistani exporters. He said it would eliminate competition from Indian traders who rebrand Pakistani salt for international markets. Pakistan aims to increase the value-added export of Himalayan pink salt.
“The profit margin is very thin,but still,the business is feasible because of the bulk sales. But the ban has completely halted the pink salt business. we don’t know when the situation would turn normal,” Kumar said.
What’s next
Indian traders are now seeking alternative sources for Himalayan pink salt to stabilize prices and meet consumer demand. The long-term impact on trade relations between India and Pakistan remains uncertain.