Fresh sesame supply brings down price

The supply of newly harvested sesame seeds cut the prices to K220,000 per three-basket bag in November-end, which is a sharp decrease of K20,000 per bag as against the price registered in early November.
The price of black sesame seeds stood only K145,000 per three-basket bag in July, whereas it increased up to K240,000 in early November. Then, fresh sesame supply reduces the price to K220,000 per bag, Soe Win Myint pulses depot in Mandalay stated.
Both raw sesame seeds and value-added sesame seeds are conveyed to China. When the COVID-19 cases fall and transportation barriers are eased, the sesame market will raise its head again for sure, a depot owner from Bayintnaung wholesale market said.
Normally, Myanmar exports about 80 per cent of sesame production to foreign markets. Normally, Myanmar’s sesame is shipped to China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, European Union countries and China Taipei (Taiwan).
The EU markets prefer to purchase organic-farming sesame seeds from Myanmar. Japan prefers Myanmar black sesame seeds, cultivated under good agricultural practices (GAP), and purchases them after a quality assessment. At present, the country is relying solely on the Chinese market and facing a hurdle to place the sesame on other foreign countries.
Sesame is cultivated in the country throughout the year. Magway Region, which has gained a reputation as the oil pot of Myanmar, is the main producer of sesame seeds. The seeds are also grown in Mandalay and Sagaing regions.
Of the cooking oil crops grown in Myanmar, the acreage under sesame seed is the highest, accounting for 51.3 per cent of the overall oil crop plantation. About 600,000-800,000 tonnes of sesame seeds are yearly produced. — KK/GNLM