The price of ginger has slumped in the domestic market owing to weak foreign demand.
Myanmar exports ginger to Bangladesh, Thailand, China, India, Yemen, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore and the UAE. The ginger price declined as the demand from the main buyer Bangladesh tumbled.
The price jumped to K7,500 per viss in June 2023. The price plummeted to K4,200 per viss on 27 July, as per Mawlamyine commodity centre.
Bangladesh still relies on imports of ginger and onion as its output cannot meet the growing demand in the domestic market. The ginger produced by Bangladesh and Myanmar have a similar appearance so the price is not that different.
Bangladesh primarily imports Myanmar’s ginger on account of smooth import and fair price.
Myanmar sent over 1,000 tonnes of fresh ginger worth US$0.279 million to the neighbouring country Bangladesh through Maungtaw in June 2023, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
There are over 15,000 acres of ginger cultivation in Myanmar. Shan State is the main producer of ginger with over 12,000 acres, followed by Chin State (over 2,400 acres), according to the statistics provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation.
A training course to produce quality ginger organized by the Myanmar Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association (MFVP) and a group of ginger producers in Shan State was conducted in early July this year.
Myanmar’s ginger is harvested in June-July and September-October periods. The ginger produced in September and October is of good quality and good appearance, therefore, it meets export standards. — NN/EM
