The spread of COVID-19 across the globe has caused Myanmar’s crop sales to come to an almost complete standstill but Chinese demand has kept the trade of lima beans, mung beans, rice beans and peanuts thriving in Mandalay, according to local merchants.
The Mandalay wholesale centre is complying with health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports and is keeping the centre open from 9 to 11 am. Continued demand from China has kept the market alive for farmers and merchants, said U Soe Win of Soe Win Myint Sales Centre.
Mandalay is the central trading hub for Myanmar’s lentils and COVID-19 has lowered prices, said U Soe Win.
However, trade hasn’t stopped and farmers and merchants are happy with that fact. He said the Indian market is not purchasing their usual black grams and pigeon peas and are monitoring the market. He hopes the market will continue to operate while adhering to ministry-issued health guidelines.
U Kyi Soe from Ngazun Township, Mandalay Region, said he has loan payments to make to Moe Bank for March but the wholesale centres were closed. He said they need to be open for farmers like him to have an income. He said the onion season is approaching soon but market prices are less than charming as he hears a viss will sell for only K700 and may even drop lower.
Currently, Chinese merchants are purchasing lima beans from Myanmar at K47,000 per three tins, rice beans for K50,000 per three tins, mung beans for K108,000 per three tins, and peanuts for K3,300 per viss.—Min Htet Aung (Man Sub-printing House) (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
