Myanmar ships seedless watermelon to Dubai for second time

By Nyein Nyein

Myanmar exported the second shipment of its seedless watermelon weighing 20 tonnes and muskmelon weighing 200 kilos to Dubai on 14 January via sea route, according to the Myanmar Watermelon and Muskmelon Producers and Exporters Association.

“About 25 tonnes of Myanmar’s seedless watermelons were also shipped on 11 December for the first time. It has yielded good results. We were worried about the freshness of the fruits because it took 17 days. But it was relieved now,” said U Naing Win, the association chairperson.

Myanmar seedless watermelon has been planned to expand its new foreign markets to Hong Kong, the UAE and Qatar, stated Myanmar Watermelon and Muskmelon Producers and Exporters Association.

The seedless watermelon is grown in Sagaing, Mandalay and Bago regions. The harvest season is from November to May. At present, the melons are primarily sent to China through the land border.

The COVID-19 impacts cause difficulties in watermelon and muskmelon exports in the previous financial year. The growers and traders suffer a loss because of the drop in prices. Last year, Myanmar exported over 600,000 tonnes of watermelon and about 150,000 tonnes of muskmelon to China, the association stated.

(Translated by Hay Mar)