Watermelon, muskmelon fetch handsome prices in post-Chinese New Year

 

January 27

 

The prices of watermelon and muskmelon escalated in the post-Chinese New Year, fruit traders said.

 

At present, the prices stood at 3.5-4 Yuan for 855 watermelon of good quality, 3.6-4 Yuan for Taiwan watermelons and 4.5-5.3 Yuan for muskmelon.

 

Fruit traders engaged in Muse border shared that only good quality fruits can assure the opportunity to grasp a strong market.

 

Last early January, the fruit market was expected to be bustling. Yet, inferior quality lowered the price and the market was sluggish, said Sai Khin Maung from Khwanyo Fruit Depot.

 

The highest prices however hit 4.7-4.8 Yuan per kilo for 855 watermelons of good quality, 5.1-5.2 Yuan for Taiwan watermelons and 6-6.5 Yuan for muskmelon depending on quality in early January.

 

Myanmar’s watermelon and muskmelon are heavily reliant on the Chinese market. The traders grappled with China’s strict virus policy.

 

Last year, the COVID-19 restrictions hindered Myanmar’s watermelon and muskmelon exports to China. Chinese Customs Regulation increased delay. Long delays of trucks caused harm to watermelon quality and only one in five trucks heading to China remained undamaged with quality watermelons.

 

The traders are observing delivery time, price and profitability as they are perishable fruit, while they are trying to explore new markets besides China.

 

On 1 April, Nantaw and Sinphyu border posts were suspended in the wake of COVID-19 impacts. China has closed down the major border crossing of Mang Wein from 30 March 2021 following the COVID-19 cases in Myanmar.

 

On 8 July 2021, the two-remaining cross-border posts Kyinsankyawt and Panseng were suspended. As a result of this, the border trade between Myanmar and China was completely halted.

 

Among the Sino-Myanmar border posts, the Kyinsankyawt border resumed operations on 26 November 2022.

 

Trade activity at the Muse-Mang Wein border, which performed the majority of trade between Myanmar and China, resumed on 14 January 2023. Additionally, other goods except for agricultural products (watermelon, muskmelon), minerals and fisheries products are allowed to be sent to China through that border point.

 

At present, Myanmar daily delivers rice, broken rice, rubber, various beans and pulses, fishery products, chilli pepper and other food commodities to China through Kyinsankyawt by 40 trucks and building materials, electrical appliances, household goods and industrial raw materials are imported into the country by 20 trucks. – NN/EMM