Jaggery powder to be exported to five foreign markets

A plant is currently being constructed in Yesagyo Town of Magway Region to process jaggery powder, and there are plans to export the powder to five markets abroad, said Ko Kaung Sett Naing, the CEO of 555 Shwe Hinthar Co Ltd.

 

“We will produce jaggery powder after purchasing toddy juice from local palm farmers. Currently, the construction of the jaggery powder factory in Yesagyo Town is 80 per cent complete. The factory will be operational by the end of September,” he said.

 

“We are producing finished products after purchasing toddy juice from local palm farmers. We introduced jaggery to Korea two months ago. But they didn’t like it. So, we explained the benefits of jaggery. After looking at the certificate confirming jaggery is good for health, they asked us to send jaggery,” he added.

 

“Currently, we are producing jaggery powder and exporting it to Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand. Additionally, we are exporting jaggery powder to Korea on a trial basis. Jaggery powder, which is an organic product, interests not only South East Asian countries, but also European countries,” said Ko Kaung Sett Naing.

 

“To extend the business, we plan to purchase jaggery from local farmers and produce its powder in the factory. So, local farmers will be able to save 50 per cent of the expenditure on fire wood. We also plan to produce high-quality toddy juice with the aim of dissuading local farmers from abandoning palm cultivation,” he added.

 

“In 2016, jaggery powder was produced on a trial basis. In 2017, the powder was exported to Japan to see the response. We need to negotiate to keep the price of the powder higher than that of jaggery,” said Ko Kaung Sett Naing.

 

—Khine Satt Wai (Translated by Hay Mar)