Baseline characterization of salt-making practices and constraints in selected Philippine coastal provinces

Abstract

The Philippine salt industry remains important to coastal livelihoods but has declined amid import dependence, climate-sensitive production, limited modernization, and fragmented support. This study used descriptive, cross-sectional documentation to characterize salt-making practices, producer profiles, post-harvest practices, and reported constraints in selected major salt-producing provinces. Data were gathered from 590 salt producers, owners, operators, caretakers, and workers across Regions I, III, IV-B, VI, and X using a structured, pretested survey, field observations, and site documentation during the early and peak production periods. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, percentages, and province- and region-based cross-tabulations. Most respondents were male (69.5%), married (80.8%), aged 46 years or older (68.8%), and had more than 20 years of salt-making experience (58.1%), indicating a sector largely sustained by experienced, middle-aged and older producers. Salt production was dominated by solar evaporation systems, including conventional and HDPE-lined crystallization beds (78.81%), while cooking-based production accounted for 21.19% and was concentrated in the Ilocos provinces. Post-harvest practices showed limited upgrading: sacks were the dominant packaging material (93%), 72% of respondents reported no farm-level packaging labels, and 35% had no storage facility. The most frequently reported primary production constraint was climate- and weather-related risk (63.39%), while the leading marketing constraint was limited access to large-scale distribution channels (47.97%). The findings provide baseline evidence to inform targeted interventions in climate-resilient infrastructure, improved storage, appropriate technology transfer, traceability, tenure support, and market linkages for a more sustainable and resilient Philippine salt industry.