FARMERS are unhappy as this year’s opening price for cassava has been lower than that of last year.
As traders still have the remaining cassava flour produced in last year, this year’s price is just about one third of last year’s price and it can just barely cover the cost, said farmers.
“It is harvest time of cassava roots. In fact, roots can be dug in January but we have to see the market. For now, the cassava market has declined since Chinese New Year, because the supply of cassava flour is still left a lot at wholesale trading centres and another factor is transportation barrier. That makes farmers unhappy,” said a cassava farmer, Ko Thura Aung from Hinthada Township.
The cassava price is likely to continue falling further over next months. Cassava flour is mainly purchased by China for using it in making ceramics strengthen.
“Over next couples of months, digging of cassava roots will end and the supply will be larger, so the price will fall further. Cassava flour can be substituted with wheat flour and for making ceramics in China. That is why, China is the major buyer,” he added. — Thit Taw/ZS
