After several months of delays, the Black Sea Salt Plant — Ukraine's first facility for processing and adapting imported salt — reached full capacity in May 2026. This milestone marks a significant step in securing the country's supply of edible salt and opens new opportunities in the 'Extra' grade segment.

Production Launch and Current Capacity

Since mid-May, the plant has been producing goods on its main production line. The product range includes edible salt in various fractions, packaged in 25 kg bags, big bags, and bulk products. According to Vitaliy Rudenko, CEO of the Black Sea Salt Plant, all production capacities have been activated, and the facility has transitioned to continuous operation.

The new plant has a capacity of 15,000 tons of salt per month. This allows it to cover approximately 50% of the domestic demand for salt. The facility utilizes high-tech solutions and the expertise of Turkish specialists from Salt Plus, making it the only domestic enterprise that produces salt by evaporating brine.

Development Prospects and Future Plans

In the future, the company plans to extract salt from the Kuyalnik Lagoon in the Odesa region. According to plant management estimates, this will enable the production of 200,000 tons of salt annually, fully meeting the country's demand for edible salt. This move will represent a significant contribution to the development of the domestic food industry.

Overcoming Launch Challenges

Construction of the Black Sea Salt Plant began in 2024, with the launch originally scheduled for January 2026. However, due to anomalous frosts, power supply interruptions, and the high workload of Turkish contractors, the launch had to be postponed. A separate challenge was the shortage of personnel: as the plant is the only one in Ukraine evaporating sea salt, there is a lack of specialists in this specific field.

Contribution to the Economy and Employment

The plant has provided a new professional life for workers from 'Artemsol', which was destroyed in 2022. Currently, the chief engineer of 'Artemsol' works at the plant, assisting in technology development, engineering, and identifying companies capable of providing technological solutions. This not only supports the local economy but also preserves valuable professional knowledge.

Expert Forecasts

Despite the launch difficulties, experts predict success for the enterprise in its niche. Dmytro Kashchuk, Director of Development at the 'Geological Investment Group', noted that the Black Sea plant is easier to implement, requires lower capital investment, and carries fewer risks. Although the enterprise will not cover the anti-icing sector, it has good prospects in its niche, which offers higher added value.