COVID and climate change reduce artisanal salt production in Oaxaca by 90%

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The production of artisanal salt in the state of Oaxaca was reduced by up to 90%, attributed to different causes: climate change, the alteration in the rainy periods, and the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data from the Mexican Association of the Salt Industry (Amisac).

In Oaxaca, in recent years the production of salt in Salinas del Marqués, in the municipality of Salina Cruz, has varied. During 2019, 20 thousand tons were extracted, but this year it is projected that only 200 tons will be extracted.

According to Amisac, Mexico ranks sixth in the production of salt in the world, and first in Latin America, with 14 producers in the national territory.

The deputies of the 64th Legislature of the Oaxaca Congress, among them Elim Antonio Aquino and Aleyda Serrano Rosado, presented an appeal to request the federal and state government agencies to implement support programs and subsidies for the producers of the Salinas del Marqués, on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

The call was directed specifically to the heads of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development, of the federal government, and the Secretariat of Agricultural Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Sedapa), of the state of Oaxaca.

“This is a primary activity for families in Salina Cruz; however, today they face a major problem, since, due to climate change and the alteration in rainy periods, production has decreased ”, warned the legislators.

To this situation, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are added, which has prevented the distribution of artisanal salt both in the state and throughout the country.

This has caused a loss of 90% of its production, “severely impacting the economy of the families that depend on the sale and distribution of this artisanal product,” said local representatives.

The Oaxaca Post