Fresh chilli for export hover around K1,400 per viss

The price of fresh chilli for export is now hovering around K1,400 per viss, said Chairperson Daw Ohnmar Kyaw of the Myanmar Chilli Market and Technical Development Association.
Although Myanmar fresh chilli is currently exported to Thailand and China, the major border checkpoints between Myanmar and China were halted starting from 8 July. Consequently, the chilli supposed to be sent to China was exported to Thailand through the Myawady border post, she added.
“The closure of the major border posts from China side, Myanmar exports them to Thailand. But, they are offered low prices,” said Daw Ohnmar Kyaw.
Moreover, the fresh chilli to Thailand via cross-border trade sharply dropped this year. The acre of chilli plantation has dropped by half this year because of rising input costs. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on chilli demand due to uncertainty about foreign markets and restrictions on cash withdrawals from the banks, according to Myanmar Chilli Market and Technical Development Association.
The number of export trucks drastically declines. About six trucks of fresh chilli are daily exported to Thailand through Myawady now. Earlier, Myanmar carried over 15 trucks of fresh chilli per day to Thailand.
Additionally, the fresh chilli is priced at extremely lower than the price registered last year, fetching only K1,300 per viss (a viss equals 1.6 kilogrammes). Last year, the price hit a record high of K5,000-6,000 per viss, the association stated.
It is commonly grown in the Ayeyawady Region and Kyaukse Township of Mandalay Region. The export varieties of fresh chilli pepper are 692,777,999, Demon, Sunshine and Lucky one. — NN/GNLM