Iraq’s Basra Salt Plant Thrives Amid Rising Temperatures

As southern Iraq experiences soaring temperatures, the Basra Salt Plant near FAO is leveraging the heat to boost seawater-based salt production. Producing 350,000 tonnes annually, the plant uses large evaporation basins to harness climate-driven heat for faster, cleaner crystallization—marking a shift from traditional rock salt mining.

Used across oil extraction, food processing, water purification, and detergent manufacturing, the salt from Basra has become a vital industrial input. As temperatures rise, the facility is maximizing its natural conditions to scale operations and meet national demand.