Cabbage supply up while price down in MDY market amidst COVID resurgence

A plentiful supply of cabbage from various states and regions flows into the Mandalay market in recent days. The market remained slow during the pandemic, and the price plummeted to the lowest of K50-100 per cabbage, said U Aung Moe Naing, Aung warehouse owner from Mandalay town.

About 15 trucks loaded of cabbage are entering Mandalay vegetable market. However, the market is cool during the pandemic, and a cabbage fetched the maximum of K300 only.

“The growers and greengrocers are not financially doing well. The market is sluggish during the COVID-19. The growers have to sell the vegetable at below market value. The price moved in the lowest range of K50-100 and the highest range of K300. The sales dropped by three times compared to the previous years,” a depot owner explained the market condition.

The demand drastically dropped as the COVID-19 shocks shut down the hotels and restaurants and ruined the market.

The government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are working together to cover the loss of cabbage growers hit hard by the COVID-19 consequences, Myanmar Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Producers & Exporters Association (MFVP) stated.

Since early April, the cabbage growers in Naungtayar town, southern Shan State have been suffering losses as the market ruined, forcing them to distribute the cabbage to the people free of charge, according to the MFVP.

“The cabbages were left unharvested in the farm to decay. Therefore, we met the growers to make a free distribution to people. The CSOs contributed transport charges. However, to cover some loss for the growers, the CSOs and well-wishers came up with an idea to give back K70-100 per cabbage for the growers,” said U Kyaw Thu, secretary of MFVP.

On 18 May, under the guidance of MFVP, 12-wheel truck of cabbage was distributed free of charge each in Thingangyun and South Dagon townships.
 The second batch of free distribution is planned to proceed in Dagon Myothit (East) and Hlinethaya townships.

“The CSOs and well-wishers are planning to return the people’s contributions to remedy the loss of the growers,” said U Kyaw Thu.

Next, MFVP launched an e-commerce platform, and people can buy fruits and vegetable online.

Additionally, the association arranged mobile market trucks to get a fair price for the consumers and earn a reasonable profit for the growers.

The cabbage price drastically plunged to K100 from K1,000 compared to last year.

Besides, the supply surpassed the demand in the market. The growers are facing financial hardships.

The cabbages are mainly cultivated in northern and southern Shan State. The cabbage from Mandalay and Sagaing regions are also flowing into Mandalay market.

There are about 1,300 acres of cabbage in Naungtayar town, southern Shan State. An acre can produce 10,000-12,000 cabbages. In mid-2020, 35 per cent of the production are damaged in the farm owing to weak demand, MFVP stated.

Min Htet Aung/ Ko Htet 
(Translated by Ei Myat Mon)