Garlic prices triple in Feb 2024

The price of garlic from Shan State registered a threefold increase on 1 February 2024 compared to that of the corresponding period last year, benefiting the growers with good prices.
Some Shan garlic is sent to neighbouring countries at borders, yet Kyukok garlic imported by China has grasped a strong market share in the domestic market for two decades.
The prices stood at K15,800-K17,000 per viss whereas Kyukok garlic fetched K9,000-K9,200 per viss in early February, according to the garlic store on Yetama Street at Bayintnaung Commodity Wholesale Centre.
The prices were recorded at K5,100-K6,300 per viss of Shan garlic on 1 February 2023.
Low stocks in the market drive the price up when the harvest time nears. The cold weather causes weight loss of bulbs.
The large size of the garlic jumped to K17,000 per viss on 1 February from K16,000 per viss at the end of January 2024.
Garlic and potatoes, like palm oil, are imported to meet domestic demand. The record prices are K5,100 per viss of onion and K4,200 for potato only, whereas the garlic price peaked at K17,000 per viss.
Garlic is primarily cultivated in Shan State. It is also found in Mandalay and Pakokku areas, and garlic from those areas is rarely found in Yangon’s market due to low yield, U Aung Myo, a trader, told The Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM). — TWA/EM