DIFFERENT varieties of sesame entered the Magway market this week and were selling well, much to the pleasure of growers. But, the price of monsoon sesame is on the decline on account of quality and low demand.
On 11 February, the price of black sesame ranged between K145,000 and K190,000 per bag (one bag weighs 45 viss), while the price of white sesame ranged between K128,000 and K133,000 per bag.
Meanwhile, the price of white sesame (irrigated) ranged between K122,000 and K125,000 per bag, while the price of red sesame hit K113,000 per bag, and brown sesame fetched K113,000 per bag.
The price of the different varieties of sesame declined on 11 February compared to the week ended 4 February. The price of black sesame dropped by K30,000 per bag, white sesame K2,000, white sesame (irrigated) by K5,000, red sesame by K12,000, and brown sesame by K12,000.
China is the main buyer of Myanmar sesame, which is also shipped to markets in Japan, South Korea, China (Taipei), UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, and Poland.
The EU markets prefer organically farmed sesame seeds from Myanmar, said an official from the Trade Promotion Organization.
Japan prefers Myanmar’s black sesame seeds, cultivated under good agricultural practices (GAP), and purchases them after a quality assessment. Black sesame seeds from Myanmar are also exported to South Korea. Meanwhile, China purchases various coloured sesame seeds from the country.
Sesame is cultivated in Myanmar throughout the year. Magway Region, which has gained a reputation as the oil pot of Myanmar, is the main producer of sesame seeds. The seeds are also cultivated in Mandalay and Sagaing regions.
Of the edible oil crops grown in Myanmar, the acreage under sesame is the highest, accounting for 51.3 per cent of the overall oil crop plantation.
The volume of sesame exports was registered at over 96,000 tons, worth $130 million, in the 2015-2016 FY; 100,000 tons, worth $145 million, in the 2016- 2017FY; and 120,000 tons, worth $147 million, in the 2017-2018FY. — GNLM
(Translated by Hay Mar)
