Falling lemon prices hit farmers’ profits

18 June

THE lemon farmers are caught between the rising lemon plan[1]tations and falling prices this year, said the lemon farmers from Singaing Township of Mandalay Region.

They grow Bamar lemon, Shan lemon, Monywa lemon and lemon (Citrus limonia). Of them, the Bamar lemon is available all year round. They are harvested well, especial[1]ly in monsoon, and the prices drop as the consumption rate decline. Then, it was K50 per lemon, and now it is only K25 per lemon.

“The sales of lemon are normal in the local market. Although there is plenty of lemon during this month, like Kason and Nayon, the prices usually fall. The lemon prices at the farms are between K20 and K25 for the big size and between K10 and K15 for small ones. Although the prices drop during this time, they creep up again in Pyatho and Tabodwe. The production rate decline in Tagu. Prices are between K150 and K200 per lemon as they can be used in making medicines,” said lemon farmer Daw Thida Aung from Singaing Township.

The lemons from Singaing Township are distributed to the wholesale centres of Mandalay at between K2,000 and K2,500 for 100 lemons. The farmers also make preserved lemon not to face any losses due to the fruit drops. The villages located in Patheingyi and Singaing townships and along the Dokhtawady River of Mandalay Region mainly grow the lemons. — Min Htet Aung/GNLM