Myanmar White Sesame Prices Crash, Dropping by 100,000 Kyat, Market Trading Slumps!

Myanmar media reported that the sesame market in Magwe City recently saw a drop in the price of white sesame and a lack of trading. Although sesame has been listed in large numbers during the rainy season, the market is not active, and only Rangoon is buying. In the third week of August, the price of high-quality white sesame seeds was more than 150,000 KYats per basket, and in early September, the price dropped to 135,000 Kyats per basket. At the same time, the price of Simeng black sesame, which is less cultivated, is as high as more than 200,000 kyats per basket, and the trade is very hot.

The market for shad was strong in Labudallo Township, Irrawaddy province, with strong demand in the Yangon market. In August, Buudalow township sent 82,000 tugs of shad to the Yangon market, up from 65,000 tugs in July. Local fish traders said shad was popular because of its delicious taste, and prices performed well in the early days of the market. The price of shad sent to the Yangon market from Bubudaro Township varies depending on the size, with prices ranging from 20,500 KYats per tug for small size, 35,500 to 45,500 Kyats for medium size and 65,000 to 110,000 Kyats for large size.

Shad is a type of fish that lives in the sea and reproduces to fresh water. At the end of the rainy season, from September to November, they migrate to the tributaries of the Irrawaddy River and freshwater rivers to spawn. The shad fish is found in only 11 countries, with major fishing countries including Bangladesh, India and Myanmar. Eleven areas in the Irrawaddy province are listed as year-round no-take areas and protected areas for hilsa breeding and spawning, and fishing is prohibited during certain seasons.

The export season for Myanmar's corn kernels is over, but prices remain high. From February 1 to August 31, Myanmar corn kernels were exported to Thailand duty-free, but prices did not fall, but continued to rise because of acquisitions from other countries and demand from domestic feed mills. At present, the price of corn kernels has risen to 1,750 kyats per barrel in the Yangon market, and the FOB shipment price for exports is about 270 to 280 US dollars per ton. Due to regional instability, Myanmar's exports to China and Thailand via the border route have been almost zero this year, instead using the Yangon-Gaudang-Ranong trade route. Myanmar produces about 2 million to 3 million tons of corn kernels annually and exported 1.8 million tons to Thailand this year.