The story
The dry climate, strong winds and flat saline land of the Rann and the Kutch coast make it ideal for evaporating brine into salt. Agariya families have made salt in the Little Rann for generations, while large salt works near Kandla and Mundra supply industry and export. Salt also feeds Gujarat's soda ash and chlor-alkali plants.
In numbers
Gujarat produced 85% of India's salt in 2021-22, followed by Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu at 6% each.
Indian Minerals Yearbook: Salt (Indian Bureau of Mines, citing Salt Commissioner) · 2022
Ways in for a newcomer
- Iodised salt packing and branding
- Supplying industrial salt to chemical plants
- Solar pumps and equipment for salt pans
- Transport and loading services
Problems the cluster faces
- Hard working conditions for salt workers
- Cyclones and unseasonal rain
- Low prices for small producers
Businesses to start here
Iodised Salt Plant →Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salt) →Sodium Sulphate (Glauber's Salt) →