14 July
CHINA has not yet responded to the Phytosanitary measures and inspection results sent by Myanmar to have legal export channel to China, according to Myanmar Pineapple Producers and Exporters Association (MPPEA).
Myanmar sent the Phytosanitary measures and inspection results in June-end.
“The plants have been tested for three types of pests and fungal disease. The results have been delivered to China, yet there is still no response. They will decide whether to inspect them on their owns or approve the results,” said association secretary Sai Kyaw Nyunt.
At present, the pineapple growers are expecting the exports to China presenting the Phytosanitary certificates.
China is the main buyer of Myanmar’s pineapples and it has banned importation since 16 June 2019. The Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) issued by Myanmar’s Agriculture Department is required for export to China.
This being so, the association asked the Agriculture Department to issue the PC at the soonest.
Earlier, 50 per cent of pineapple production is consumed locally, and the remaining goes to China.
Therefore, Myanmar growers want legitimate trade channel to Yunnan Province.
At present, the Ministry of Commerce has received samples of Myanmar’s pineapples to penetrate other foreign markets through Singapore, in cooperation with Myanmar Fruits, Flowers and Vegetables Producers and Exporters Association.
“For now, only sample is sent to external market and there is no reply to it yet. The pineapple is now relying only on local market,” he continued.
Additionally, Myanmar Pineapple Producers and Exporters Association and Myanmar Fruit, Flowers and Vegetables Producers and Exporters Association jointly sell the pineapples with mobile market trucks in the suburban townships of Yangon. The pineapples are also on eCommerce platform.
Myanmar yearly exports nearly 40,000 tonnes of pineapples to China. Last year, pineapple grower groups from northern Shan State lost over K700 million worth 25,000 tonnes.
This year, there are about 35,000 acres of pineapples across the country; with 55 per cent in Hsipaw Township, 17 in Lashio, nine in Tangyan, six in Hsihseng, and 13 in Namsang and other townships.
The pineapples are abundant during its harvest season (July and August). If the trade channel is still suspended this year, growers will suffer more losses, he added.
An acre can grow around 6,000-10,000 pineapple plants and up to 15,000 plants if advanced growing technique is used.
An acre costs approximately K1 million. Previously, an acre earned about K2.5 million, with the price ranging K350 to 750 per pineapple. Therefore, it is lucrative fruit for the growers.
Myanmar earlier shipped about 300-500 tonnes of pineapple per day.
Although pineapple is not listed on green channel list of General Administration of Customs China, the association requests the government to negotiate with Yunnan provincial government for official trade.
Furthermore, pineapple growers want this sector to be listed on priority sector of the Coronavirus Fund. Value-added market is not uncertain for now, yet the government’s long-term loan for pineapple paste, juice and vinegar businesses are required.
Additionally, the association stated that the traders need to link with exporters to send the pineapples to Singapore and other external markets in July and August.
By Nyein Nyein (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
