Low production leads to elephant foot yam price reduction in Paingkyon, Kayin state

The local farmers from Moe Naing village, Paingkyon town, Kayin State are growing elephant foot yam on a commercial scale. This year, the yields of elephant foot yam are low and the prices are falling as well, according to the traders.
“The traders bought the fresh elephant foot yam for K1,000 per viss from the villages near the foot of Dawna Mountain. Then, they dried and sold them at K7,500 per viss. Last year, the dried elephant foot yam was sold at K11,800 per viss. This year, the productions of elephant foot yam are lower than last year and the prices are also falling,” said Daw Pyo, a brokerage owner from Moe Naing village.
The elephant foot yam is destined to the commodity depots from Hpa-an, Mawlamyine, Mandalay and Muse, towns through Paingkyon town. Then, those are exported to China. But for this time, the sending of elephant foot yam have been suspended to prevent the spreading of COVID-19, said Daw Pyo.
Elephant foot yam production is one of the lucrative businesses. The yams are harvested between August and mid-December. — Paingkyon IPRD/GNLM