- Nepalese Airlines to launch nonstop flight service to Yangon
- Buses remain least among 90,000 vehicles registered
- Korean firm to conduct feasibility study on water supplying projects in Yangon
- Credit Information Bureau to be formed
- ASEAN Economic Community Workshop held in Myanmar
- Vietnam-Myanmar economic seminar in Yangon
- Investment commission approves 33 companies in first quarter
- Gold price slumps in Myanmar
- US Dollar hikes but temporarily, Central Bank says
- Myanmar hardwoods to be exported to EU only in 2015
Business is losing for watermelon growers
Published on Friday, 30 November 2012 20:39
Business prospect remains gloomy for Myanmar watermelon growers this year as China fails to offer a good price, according to sources.
Exporters and planters from the townships of Sagaing region, Amarapura, Kume, Kyaukse and Myittha townships from Mandalay region and the Northern Shan State are losing their business because Chinese traders price the watermelons based on carload instead of actual weight, sources said.
Watermelons are priced at 2,500 to 4,000 yuan per tonne in previous years, but the current price for 13 tonnes has dropped to 1,600 yuan.
“Watermelons are planted much this year and they are oversupplied in China. That’s why they offer the lowest price. Last year they lost the watermelons because of the bad weather and offered a good price. They gave 5,000 yuan should the watermelons be sweet and good,” said Nyan Aung, watermelon trader from Shwe Wah Myaing fruits and vegetables wholesales centre.
“This year, the highest price for 13 tonnes is 16,000 yuan. Some gave only 500 or 600 yuan for 13 tonnes, and local traders even have to pay for the transportation,” the trader added.
Watermelons are planting on islands at the end of November and local planters are expecting good prices because the watermelons are scarce at this time in China, according to sources from watermelon growers.
Watermelons from Mandalay and Sagaing regions are mainly exported to China.