Myanma Thanaka selling well on increasing demand

The Thanaka market has recovered since Thadingyut Festival (mid-October) after the market slowdown during the pandemic. Thanaka is selling well after Myanma Thanaka Day was marked, said U Kyaw Moe, chair of Myanmar Thanaka Planters and Producers Association.
Thanaka, a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark, is a natural cosmetic in Myanmar.
“The fullmoon of Tabodwe is designated as Myanma Thanaka Day. After that, the number of consumers has significantly risen,” he continued.
In addition to a piece of Thanaka, the value-added Thanaka products are also increasingly consumed in the market.
Earlier, the collapse of the market led Thanaka growers to change other crops. This year, they turned to Thanaka again on high domestic demand,” U Kyaw Moe added.
There is a steady demand for Thanaka this year. The prices of a Thanaka plant move in the range of K5,000, K8,000 and K10,000. The collapse of the Thanaka amarket during the COVID-19 resulted in decreasing Thanaka farms. Therefore, the price rises a bit on low supply, he elaborated.
“Thanaka has grasped a market share in the domestic market. The neighbouring country Thailand is eyeing Thanaka powder and so, it has market potential,” said a member of Myanmar Thanaka Planters and Producers Association.
Pakokku Thanaka warehouse, Mandalay Thanaka warehouse and Ayadaw Thanaka warehouse are the main suppliers of Myanma Thanaka, said the traders.
There are nearly 200,000 acres of Thanaka in Sagaing Region and Ayadaw Township has over 100,000 acres. — Lu Lay/GNLM