Chilli growers earn high profits as chilli prices soar

Chilli growers from Pyawbwe township have been happy to see chilli prices soaring in the early harvesting season.
U Khin Maung Tint, a grower from Khin Gyi Ya village said that we have cultivated two acres of chilli plantation. After growing chilli for three months, the plants could start harvesting. The fertilizer needs to be sprayed onto the plants when it is necessary. The chilli plant could be harvested once a week and each time, it could yield about 100 dried chillies. As of today, we have yielded the chilli five times already. If we can take good care, the chilli plants could yield five or six more times.
The chilli traders are purchasing the chilli from the market in Pyawbwe township. At the beginning of the chilli season this year, the chillies are priced at K2,800 per viss, while the dried chillies are sold for K3,300 per viss.
Most of the growers dry the chilli under sunlight to make dried chillies while only a few people are using the chilli-drying ovens.
Myanmar also exports fresh chilli to China and Thailand. But, the fresh chillies are mainly exported to Thailand through the Myawady land border. — Min Min Htway (Pyawbwe)/GNLM