CHENGDU, Jan. 3 (NBD) -- The reform plan for the salt industry system came into force in China on Sunday. 

This marks an end to the country's 2,600-year-long controls on the price and distribution of edible salt. 

Pursuant to the guidelines, salt producers are now allowed to enter the salt circulation and sales market, and will be free to set wholesale and retail prices in accordance with production and operation costs, salt quality, and market supply and demand. 

Zhao Ping, director of the international trade research at the CCPIT Research Institute, told NBD that the salt reform is aimed at boosting market vitality and offering more options to consumers.