May 13
THE market of black sesame seeds is seemingly inactive as the prevailing market price is not profitable for the traders, said traders from Mandalay.
“It is one week that the market is sluggish. The inventory is low at present. Some growers are thinking of reducing the sowing acreage on the low prices,” said a trader from Mandalay market.
The prices of black sesame seeds hit over K200,000 per 45-viss bag in early 2022. The prevailing price is approximately K185,000 per viss.
Among the agricultural products that are allowed to be exported through the border posts, oil crops (peanut and sesame seeds) except black sesame are temporarily suspended for exports to secure local consumption. The Trade Department released a statement on 9 May to discuss with the related organizations to ensure peanut and sesame export ban.
Myanmar’s sesame was earlier exported to China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and China Taipei (Taiwan). However, it is now relying solely on China through sea trade and the shipments to other foreign countries have certain difficulties.
Additionally, some growers turned to other oil crops over the sesame owing to the high input burden and low price.
Sesame is cultivated in the country throughout the year. Magway Region, which has gained a reputation as the oil pot of Myanmar, is the main producer of sesame seeds. The seeds are also grown in Mandalay and Sagaing regions.
Of the cooking oil crops grown in Myanmar, the acreage under sesame seed is the highest, accounting for 51.3 per cent of the overall oil crop plantations. About 600,000-800,000 tonnes of sesame seeds are yearly produced. — KK/GNLM
