With an influx of importation of potatoes from China to domestic market, the price of potato is on the decline and imports hurt domestic growers, the growers said.
The inflow of China’s potatoes to Yangon market brings down the price to K450 per viss (a viss equals to 1.6 kg), which is a significant drop from above K700 registered in the corresponding period of last year.
The growers cannot send the potato to external markets amid the pandemic. Besides, they are battered by influx of potato from China.
The country allowed for import only when there has insufficiency of domestic consumption. The import needs approval from the Agriculture Department.
The Commerce Ministry has been controlling the entry of illegal potatoes to domestic market to protect the local growers’ market share and earn country revenue.
There are over 90,000 acres of potato plantations across Myanmar. About 600,000 tonnes are produced yearly. Local potato consumption is estimated about 350,000 tonnes. —Htet Myat
(Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
