Chinese low-priced onions flood Bayintnaung Market amid soaring local onion prices

On 13 September 2022, onions imported by China started to flow into the Yangon market at a lower price than that of local ones, Ko Lwin Ko, a buyer at the Bayintnaung Wholesale Market, told the Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM).
I purchased Chinese onions at K2,850 per viss at the Nyaungpinlay Market in Lanmadaw Township, Ko Aung Wai, an onion vendor told the GNLM. The size of Chinese onions was seen as large as an apple in the previous years. This year, it is relatively similar to the local ones produced from the Monywa area.
The local onions are priced at K3,850 per viss in the wholesale market. Dumping through a free-market perspective occurs. Chinese onions are seen flooding Yangon markets accordingly.
Chinese onions are sold at K2,750 per viss at the Bayintnaung Wholesale Market, said Ko Swe Min who purchased onions there on the morning of 12 September. Meanwhile, onions from the Monywa area are priced at K2,900-3,400 per viss depending on size and quality. Therefore, Chinese onions are K500 less than the domestic ones.
Chinese onions, garlic and potatoes are available in Yangon markets. This way, the consumers had a chance to buy the foreign onions at cheaper rates instead of the soaring local onions. Although traders gave a reason for the yield drop by half, the onion exports to Viet Nam through Thailand are still happening.
The traders from regions and states outside Yangon speculated on the possible price rise in the coming two months before the harvest of monsoon onions unless there is an entry of cheaper foreign onions into the domestic markets. The wholesale price of onion is likely to break over K4,000 per viss if there is a shortage of onions in the markets, said a trader.
Chinese onions are expected to keep flowing into the markets in the coming days, according to a warehouse located on Yetama Street. At present, consumers can pick the available options in the free market depending on the quality and price.
Some traders outside Yangon complain about the dumping of Chinese onions, the consumers can enjoy the cheaper rate. — TWA/GNLM