High Tides Wash Away Livelihoods of Pasni’s Salt Producers
Zareef Baloch
Pasni: High tides and seasonal storms are washing away the livelihoods of Pasni’s traditional salt producers, who say repeated losses and a lack of government support are threatening the survival of the century-old sea salt industry.
Established in 1916, Pasni’s traditional salt-making industry was once a major supplier of sea salt used to preserve fish for export.
Producers say the shift in global seafood markets from salted dried fish to fresh and frozen products sharply reduced demand, leaving only eight traditional salt production sites in operation compared with nearly two dozen in previous decades.
Local producer Mulla Shah Dad, whose family has been engaged in salt production for generations, said the trade continues largely because of family tradition rather than consistent profits.
“Some years we earn enough to support our families, while in others we barely recover our costs. We continue because this is our inheritance,” he said.
His son, 22-year-old Waseem Shah Dad, chose to continue the family profession after completing his intermediate education, saying he prefers preserving his ancestral livelihood over working as a labourer elsewhere.
Today, Pasni produces an estimated 50 tonnes of traditional sea salt each month. The salt is supplied to local markets, nearby districts, ice factories, and seasonal seafood processing operations, particularly during jellyfish and shellfish harvesting seasons.
Producers sell the salt for around Rs8 per kilogram, making it cheaper than many commercially processed alternatives.
Salt production relies entirely on traditional methods. Producers fill shallow clay-lined ponds with highly saline underground water, allowing the intense coastal heat to evaporate the water and leave behind natural salt crystals.
According to local producers, the underground brine used in the process is significantly saltier than seawater, producing high-quality natural sea salt without chemical processing.
Despite its reputation for purity, producers say the industry faces multiple challenges. Seasonal storms and high tides frequently flood salt pans, destroying ready-to-harvest salt and causing significant financial losses.
“We have suffered repeated losses over the years, but no compensation or financial assistance has ever been provided,” Waseem said.
Local producers believe the industry has considerable untapped economic potential. They argue that investment in modern processing plants, packaging facilities and marketing could enable Pasni’s natural sea salt to compete in national and international markets, creating employment opportunities while increasing exports.
Experts note that natural sea salt contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium and requires no chemical processing, making it attractive to consumers seeking minimally processed products.
More than a century after its establishment, however, Pasni’s salt industry continues to rely on traditional techniques, with producers hoping that future investment will help revive one of the Makran coast’s oldest livelihoods.
