THE Mandalay market is bustling with trading of konjac (elephant yam) on the back of strong foreign demand, traders said.

During the harvest season, konjac from Kachin State and the upper Sagaing Region is flooding the Mandalay market. There is a steady demand from China and Japan every year. This year, konjac fetches high prices, said U Soe Win Myint, a commodity depot owner from Mandalay.

“Konjac processing factories are located in Mandalay and Pakokku cities. Value-added konjac noodles are also distributed in the Mandalay market,” he continued.

Konjac is naturally grown in Kachin and Chin states and Sagaing and Taninthayi regions. High profitability and foreign demand prompted locals to cultivate konjac (elephant yam) under a mixed cropping system, so the number of konjac growers on a commercial scale has grown, according to the Agriculture Department.

Earlier, growers were not interested in konjac as it had only domestic demand. At present, konjac has penetrated some foreign markets so locals eye konjac cultivation. — Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub-Printing House)/KK