The export of sesame dropped by half in the early months of this financial year because of the lower demand for sesame from abroad, according to Myanmar Pulses, Beans and Sesame Seeds Merchants Association (MPBSSMA).

Myanmar sesame production has declined this year because of climate change. The sesame export has also decreased by half this year. Currently, Myanmar exports the sesame to China mainly via the border route.

“On account of weather condition, the monsoon sesame production has dropped by half. The export volume has also declined. Now, Myanmar exports the sesame mainly to China via the border route. The demand for sesame from Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Korea has also fallen. The sesame export dropped by half this FY compared to that of the last FY,” said an official from MPBSSMA.

Myanmar exports sesame to China, Indian, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia and the Netherlands. The price of the exported sesame has registered US$1,450 per tonne.

Myanmar shipped over 150,000 tonnes of sesame in the previous financial year 2019-2020, generating an export value of $240 million, according to the data of the Ministry of Commerce.

Farmers cultivate sesame in the country throughout the year. Myanmar mainly grows white sesame, brown sesame and black sesame and exports them. —Aye Maung

(Translated by Hay Mar)