THE prices of chili pepper are moving onwards on the back of strong demand by China when there is low supply in domestic market.
The prices of chilli pepper (Moe Htaung varieties) fetch up to K7,000-K8,000 per viss (a viss equals 1.6 kg) in Yangon market. The prices stood at K4,500 to K5,400 per viss in early March.
High input costs such as fertilizer and fuel oil for farming machinery were also attributed to the price rise. Cultivation of chilli pepper varieties that are primarily demanded by China costs K2.5 million per acre on an own farmland and K2.5 million for rental management.
The chilli pepper can be harvested every 15 days up to six months. Yield is estimated 100 viss per acre in the early season. It can produce 400- 500 viss in maximum. Myanmar’s chilli pepper is primarily conveyed to Thailand and China via cross-border trade channels, while it is shipped to Viet Nam through maritime trade. It is commonly grown in Ayeyawady, Mandalay and Magway regions and Shan State.
The export varieties of fresh chilli peppers are 692, 777, 999, Demon, Sunshine and Lucky one.—GNLM
