Chinese demand for Myanmar’s soft areca nuts soaring

There are over 21,000 acres of areca palm cultivation in Ayeyawady Region, and China mostly purchases pre-mature areca nuts from Myaungmya Township, according to the Consumers Affairs Department.
There are 3,569 acres in Myaungmya Township, which has become a significant trade hub with 30 retail depots based on China’s strong demand. About 20-30 bags of moist areca nut were supplied daily to a depot in Myaungmya Township in July. The areca nut season starts in March and ends in August.
Chinese buyers directly come to Myaungmya Township to buy them during the season. They do not purchase circle-shaped nuts.  They prefer soft fresh areca nuts weighing 19-37 grammes.
Farmers are still unaware of how the soft areca nuts are utilized. It is considered that they are processed to make a snack after roasting in order to penetrate the Southeast Asian market.
The shells of areca nuts rather than nuts are primarily consumed in foreign countries. They are also used in making traditional medicine and snacks.
Chinese traders import Myanmar’s areca nuts to meet the growing demand for raw materials for areca nuts. This way, Myanmar’s areca nut market has boomed.
Myanmar’s areca nuts are usually sent to markets only after drying and processing. At present, they prefer soft and moist areca nuts rather than dried ones. As it can save production costs, the farm owners are keen on selling soft, green and moist areca nuts rather than dried ones.
Myanmar’s areca nut market has become widespread. The commodity depot of areca nut emerged in the producing states and regions such as Rakhine, Mon and Kayin states and Taninthayi and Ayeyawady regions. There is competitive pricing in the market as well. — NN/KK