After ten years game playing, China salt industry seems to see the dawn. China Salt Industry Association announced on 29th October that national development and reform commission directors’ office meeting had already passed the seventh salt system reforming scheme and finished consultations in each ministry and commission. The core of this scheme is to abolish salt monopoly since 2016 and deregulate the prices of all salt products.

    It is reported that salt reform plan consists of 6 parts, 20 items in all, with the core content of abolishing salt monopoly. The concrete content is the relevant provisions of abolishing salt monopoly since 2016. It will be allowed that the existing designated salt’s production management enterprises withdraw from the market. Cross district business of salt circulation enterprises will also be allowed. Besides, the prices of all salt products, salt wholesale and circulation management will be deregulated.

    Members of China Salt Industry Association indicates that according to the regulation of the passed draft, salt industry will keep monopoly in 2015, while in 2016 the franchise will be canceled and at the same time enterprises can apply for a new permit. In 2017, the enterprises which have got new permits can start a new business. 

    It is said that after the abolishment of salt monopoly, Food and Drug Administration will begin to undertake law enforcement. If social capital will flow into salt industry, it is only allowed to flow into those enterprises which have got business permit.