In Uralsk, a shortage of regular table salt has been recorded in recent days. According to residents' reports on social media, the product has disappeared from several large supermarkets, corner shops, and markets at once.
According to the Telegram channel "My City", sellers explain that the product was bought up within two days. Residents note that they are visiting several supermarkets and markets, but there is no salt on the shelves. Some complain that they cannot preserve meat after slaughter or prepare winter provisions due to the lack of salt.
Traders at the markets are struggling to pinpoint the exact reason for the shortage. According to them, supply disruptions in the West Kazakhstan Region began about a month ago. The main cause is the new transportation rules introduced at the end of October, which require the exclusive use of Kazakh rolling stock.
It is noted that this has halted salt supplies from Sol-Iletsk, which traditionally provided up to 80% of the volume. Kazakh producers only cover part of the demand in the region.
In turn, Informburo.kz, citing the Ministry of Trade and Integration, reports that the shortage is temporary. According to the ministry, the West Kazakhstan Region requires about 90 tonnes of salt per month, of which approximately 80% previously came from the products of the Russian plant "Russol". After shipments stopped, wholesalers began switching to Kazakh brands.
To determine the causes of the disruptions, a delegation from the local executive authorities has travelled to the Orenburg region.
"To stabilise the situation, the authorities have signed contracts with JSC 'Araltuz' and LLP 'Abzal and K' from the Kyzylorda region. Due to the great distance – about 1,040 km – supplies are being sent by railway wagons and take four to five days from the time of dispatch. Contracts have now been signed for five wagons (300 tonnes) of salt," the ministry stated.
One wagon with a volume of 60 tonnes has already been sent to the region and is expected to arrive on 30 November. The remaining four (240 tonnes) are due to arrive within the next five to seven days.
The ministry claims that salt in soft packaging is available in the "Anvar" and "Altyndar" chains, and stocks of 'extra' grade salt are available in all retail chains.