Coriander seeds reach record prices in Bangladesh’s demand

The price of Myanmar’s spice coriander seeds hit a six-month record high in recent days on the back of strong demand by Bangladesh.
The coriander seed fetched only K16,000 per eight-viss basket (a viss equals 1.6 kilogrammes) during the early harvest season in February. At present, the price doubled to over K33,000 per basket on 11 August. The market sees brisk sales as well, said Soe Win Myint, an owner of Soe Win Myint commodity depot.
“The price surge is attributed to the robust demand by Bangladesh and Pakistan. The coriander seed is one of the main spices. It is yearly exported to external markets beyond domestic consumption.  Coriander seeds can be planted across the country. It is grown as the winter crop in the central Myanmar region.  The coriander seed is traded at a high price in the Mandalay market,” he elaborated.
The coriander seeds from Sagaing, Shwebo, Wetlet, Myinmu, Myittha, Kyaukse and Taungtha townships flow into the Mandalay market. Some growers do not wait for time to harvest coriander seeds and sell the plant instead in Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady regions.
As the seeds are fetching a good price, the growers should wait for time to harvest the seeds. Myanmar produces spices such as fennel seeds, black fennel and coriander seeds. The fennel is utilized as a herb in Myanmar’s traditional medicine. — Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub-Printing House)/GNLM