Jaggery price hits record high, sugar price volatile

The prices of palm sugar jaggery spiked at around K4,000 per viss on 15 August, while sugar prices also hit a fresh new peak of K3,450 per viss.
The palm sugar prices moved in the range between K3,500 and K3,800 per viss depending on the producing areas and quality on 12 August, while sugar wholesale price was K3,360 and 3,380 per viss.
When the sugar price soared in 2018 and 2019, jaggery mixed with sugar was sold at K300-400 cheaper than the organic one.
If there is a large price difference between sugar and palm sugar, the market usually grows, U Thurein, who sends sugar and jaggery to the regions outside Yangon, told the Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM).
During the new palm sugar season, palm sugar from Myanaung, Ingapu, central Myanmar regions and Mawlamyine areas enters Yangon and Pathein markets. Palm sugar from NyaungU is whiter in appearance while the ones from other regions have a brown colour. Inflation hit groceries except for tamarind in Yangon’s commodity market in 2022 and 2023. — TWA/EM