Price of Myanmar’s watermelon exported to China dips

The price of Myanmar’s watermelon placed on the China market started to move down, traders engaged in Muse border said.
The outright purchase of a truck is estimated at 20,000-48,000 yuan for the 855 watermelons and over 18,000-28,0000 yuan for the Donkyithee variety.
The prices stand at six to eight yuan per kilogramme of muskmelon and three to five yuan for Taiwan melon per kilogramme.
On 22 March, the price of a truck carrying the 855 variety watermelon touched a high of 110,000 yuan, while muskmelon was priced at 9.2 yuan per kilo and Taiwan melon fetched 7.7 yuan.
Watermelon price fluctuation is related to demand and quality. More than 90 truckloads of watermelon and muskmelon are daily conveyed to China.
Myanmar’s watermelon and muskmelon are heavily reliant on the Chinese market. The traders struggled with China’s strict policy sometimes.
In early February, tight inspections by Chinese Customs hindered truck transport. That being so, only 20-30 trucks were able to pass the checkpoint despite the delays despite the high price of watermelon and muskmelon.
Consequently, watermelon was sold out at the depots on the China side and more than 500 trucks queued in line on the Myanmar side.
In 2021, 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 borders were suspended in the wake of COVID-19 impacts. China has closed down the major crossing – 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, the Kyinsankyawt post resumed operations on 26 November 2021. 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.
Additionally, Nantaw and Sinphyu borders, which are the major border crossing, were reopened on 25 January 2023.
At present, Myanmar daily delivers rice, broken rice, rubber, various beans and pulses, fishery products, chili pepper and other food commodities to China through Kyinsankyawt by over 100 trucks. — NN/EM