MYANMAR has exported over 30,000 tonnes of turmeric to its neighbouring countries in seven months of the current financial year 2019-2020, with an estimated value of US$20 million, according to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce.
During the October-April period, Myanmar has sent over 28,000 tonnes to Bangladesh, over 2,000 to China, over 400 to India and over 300 to Thailand. Additionally, Myanmar shipped them to Singapore and UAE markets.
The turmeric fetches about $1,000-1,200 per tonne. More than 18,000 tonnes of turmeric valued over $13 million was exported in the 2017-2018 fiscal year.
Myanmar shipped over 25,000 tonnes of turmeric, with an estimated value of $14 million, to external markets in the 2018-2019 fiscal year, as per data of the Ministry of Commerce.
There are over 12,000 acres of turmeric plantations across the country, with an estimated production of 100,000 tonnes per year. Of the kitchen crops, turmeric and ginger have grasped foreign market.
The exports of kitchen crops such as turmeric, ginger, tamarind, onion and garlic have increased in the current fiscal year. Myanmar sent the kitchen crops to India, Singapore, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Viet Nam and other neighbouring markets through borders as well as maritime trade.
Next, the Ministry has called for the traders who want to export the kitchen crops to Sri Lanka.
If Myanmar can reach an agreement with foreign countries for kitchen crops exports amid the coronavirus pandemic, the market will surely improve. The Ministry is making efforts to have a legitimate trade channel in border areas. — Ko Htet (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
