THE Myanmar Fruit, Flower and Vegetables Producer and Exporter Association (MFVP) notified growers and suppliers to contact the MFVP via 09 43127656 to export dry coconut shells to the Republic of Korea.
Myanmar implemented the “Potential Product (coconut) value chain” project under the ACEMES-ROK Fund between May 2023 to April 2024 and offered coconut handicraft courses, according to the Myanmar Trade Promotion Organization.
The courses will offer practical approaches to manufacturing coconut value-added products from disposable coconut shells to commercially valued coconut crafts, including choosing coconut shells, sketching, painting, decorating, finishing the products, and polishing and drying methods with the use of drilling machines. For designing, basic drawing arts will be offered as well.
The trainees will get to know how to make coconut-based shrine lamps, curtains, key chains, shell lights and earrings. The training will provide the installation of shrine lamps and shell lights practically. They will earn the completion certificates.
The three-day coconut-based products expo and competition was held in Pathein from 22 to 24 January 2024.
Both dried and fresh coconuts offer a variety of health benefits. Coconut is used in religious events in Myanmar, and it is mostly utilized in traditional snacks and curry. Furthermore, it has been widely used in the cosmetic and Asian food industries so coconut businesses have boomed in regional countries. Therefore, they are also exported to Bangladesh, China and Thailand.
Fresh coconut water provides a good source of nutrients (such as vitamin C, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B, amino acid, copper and other minerals) rather than dried coconut.
Nutrients and vitamins in coconut water boost the immune system, and it containing cytokinin, plant hormones, is believed to have anti-ageing and anti-cancer properties, nutritionists said. Health benefits in coconut water treat dehydration due to mild diarrhoea, vomiting and electrolyte loss from sweating heavily. It helps boost energy levels. Additionally, coconut water contains 200-1,000 ml of water, and it is a natural juice with low cholesterol.
Coconut is grown in southern Rakhine cities, the delta and coastal regions. Coconut palms can thrive with abundant sunlight and regular rainfall (30-70 inches). There are three types of coconut trees found in the country: tall, dwarf and orange colour species. Tall coconut palms are used as coconut palm thatch. The dwarf species is called ‘Watmalut’ locally. The orange colour species is called royal coconut.
The bearing starts from seven to ten years of planting for tall species, three to five years for dwarf species and five to seven years for orange colour species. Coconut’s annual output is about 5,000 heads per acre.
Myanmar produces over 400 million coconuts yearly, and Ayeyawady is the biggest coconut-producing region with over 130 million coconuts. — NN/KK
