Chinese potatoes are just one commodity in the Yangon market with a very variable pricing, U Hla Myo, a potato merchant told the Global New Light of Myanmar yesterday.
On 26 October, the wholesale price of Chinese potato in Yangon was K1,700/1,800 and went up to K3,000 on 31 October, K3,500 on 6 November, K4,000 on 8 November. On 15 November, the price rose to K4,200, however, on 17 and 18 November, the price dropped back to K3,500/3,600.
On 10 July, one viss of Shan Aungban potatoes price range was between K2,800 and K3,000. On 6 November, there were no Chinese potato arrivals, making prices to rise around those days. In Yangon market this month, onion varieties stand at K2,500 to K3,600 per viss, almost the same price as Chinese potatoes. At the same time last year, when a viss of onion was around K4,000, a viss of Chinese potatoes was only K2,550, according to the listing of old prices. In November of 2023, the price of Chinese potatoes is higher than the same period last year, but the price of onions is lower than that of same period last year.
In the middle of this year, Yangon potato market depends only on Chinese potatoes, and the price fluctuates in the market depending on the volume of potatoes imported from the border. Potatoes are a perishable commodity and cannot be stored for long periods of time, prompting the price to fluctuate quickly, Daw Myint Nwe, a potatoes seller told the GNLM. Shan potatoes entered Yangon market, but for their poor quality, they could not be sold in comparison with Chinese potatoes.
Sinphyukyun potatoes used to enter Yangon market in early months of a year, there are speculations that they may enter Yangon market in the beginning of 2024 depending on the yield. In the months leading up to the end of this year, Chinese potatoes enter Bayintnaung commodity depot as well as Danyingon wholesale market. — TWA/ TH
