the salt harvest has started in Noirmoutier

At the dawn of summer, on the island of Noirmoutier (Vendée), sun and wind reveal shades of gray in the salt marshes, Thursday May 12. The salt harvest started two days ago. Coarse salt is also ready to be harvested, one month ahead of normal. The salt is then sent to a cooperative. It is stored before being packaged. The machines run all year round. On that day, it is a salt harvested in 2019 that is worked. “We have to leave the salt to dry in heaps for a few years so that it drains”, explains Joël Pieu, director of the Noirmoutier salt cooperative.

Each year, 2,500 tonnes are packaged in boxes and packets. A quantity that has been constantly increasing for six years, due to global warming. “Before, production started in June and ended at the end of August, whereas today we have almost a month and a half more of production”, explains the director.