High domestic consumption hikes up chickpea prices

The chickpeas supplied from various regions are abundantly flowing into the Mandalay market. The prices of chickpea are soaring on the back of strong domestic consumption, Mandalay traders stated.
The large volume of chickpeas from Kyaukse, Patheingyi, Madaya, Singu, Sagaing, Myinmu and Monywa are placed in the market. The prevailing prices of chickpea touched a high of K116,000 per three-basket bag whereas it fetched only K80,000 per bag during the year-ago period, according to the Soe Win Myint depot.
“Majority of Myanmar people prefer chickpea for its nutrients and rich taste. Chickpea curry is one of the dishes in the food donation as well. The high demand for chickpea in the domestic market prompts all the mills in Mandalay to run, creating job opportunities for residents. Additionally, those merchants are filling the inventory and the buyers from India are also purchasing them. The yield is pretty high this year due to good weather and the peas are free from pests. The yield rate is expected to increase 10 per cent compared to those recorded in 2021,” he explained.
Chickpea is primarily cultivated in the upper Myanmar regions and it is also found in Bago Region in the lower Myanmar. Chickpeas (V2, V7 and 927 varieties) are commonly cultivated.
At present, the prices of beans and pulses stand at K121,000 per bag for black gram, K124,000 per bag for pigeon peas, K108,000 per bag for green gram, K142,000 per bag for kidney bean, K97,000 per bag for rice bean, and K3,300 per viss (a viss equals 1.6 kilogrammes) for peanut. — Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub-Printing House)/GNLM