More snow calls for more rock salt 

COEYMANS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Frequent snowstorms have called for more rock salt shipments to the Port of Coeymans. They had a shipment arrive Friday and expect a lot more shipments this season.

Pesky storms have driven up the demand for rock salt, and because of that statewide shortage, the Port of Coeymans has received a high-volume of calls from those who want to stock up. 

On Friday, crews docked a salt shipment to keep up with the demand. The port takes rock salt shipments and stores stockpiles in warehouses for three local suppliers. Friday’s shipment will restock a warehouse that was full just last week.

The shortage has delivery drivers from western New York and even Massachusetts and Connecticut converging here for rock salt.

“December and January were a little slow, but February, we’ve been very busy the first couple of weeks of February,” said Mark Deschamps. He’s the owner of 43 Farms Deschamps Brothers Inc. 

They are a client of Apalachee Salt, one of three local suppliers based out of the port.

Deschamps said a ton of rock salt now costs between $10 and $15 more. 

He explains how the more frequent and smaller storms are driving the price up. 

“Where you just get an inch and it’s in between being able to plow or use salt to get rid of it. There’s been a big difference, and a lot of municipalities have been using more as well, so they’re coming to this area to get the salt. That’s really a shortage,” said Deschamps.

The rock salt is brought over by ships. That typically takes a two-week journey from places like Chile, Italy and Egypt.

Friday’s shipment came from Chile. Workers said it will take a few days to unload. But once it is unloaded, another ship will be following right behind it.