The salt marshes of Kampot

We’re talking about salt here, not pepper! The city of Kampot is world-renowned for the latter, but much less for its pristine counterpart. Yet, numerous salt marshes line the famous National Route 33, which connects Kampot to Kep. The salt produced here plays a significant role in the lives of thousands of people in Cambodia.

A marine production

The salt marshes, or salt pans, are located very close to the Gulf of Thailand’s coastline, neighboring the cities of Kampot and Kep. During the dry season, from December to April, the salt workers ensure that seawater fills these plots of land. They then let the water evaporate, trapped and stagnant, to collect the salt crystals. The raw salt is then gathered and piled in nearby factories adjacent to the marshes.

Fighting deficiencies

The salt is then packed into 50 kg bags after being cleaned and iodized! This process helps combat iodine deficiencies in the country. Over 2 billion people worldwide are affected by this deficiency, making it the leading preventable cause of mental retardation. This process is the most cost-effective method to address iodine deficiencies. Once processed, the salt is now ready to be distributed across the country.

Plentiful salt for a fleeting gold!

Most visits to the salt marshes are made at the Salt Exhibition Center, located about 5 minutes from Kampot toward Kep. The site, which is directly integrated into the fields, includes a farm and a museum to help visitors understand the production steps. You can even buy a bag of salt there and hear more explanations.