Myanmar prepping to export hundreds of tonnes of dried areca nuts to India monthly

India’s Lax Corporation Co Ltd proposed to buy hundreds of tonnes of Myanmar’s dried areca nuts monthly, according to Mon State’s Areca Nut Producers and Exporters Association.
The product samples were sent to them in January 2024. After 17 tonnes (one 20-foot container) of the first batch passes the quality testing, 200 tonnes of areca nuts will be exported monthly to India. They will raise the purchase order as well. At present, Myanmar suppliers and an Indian company are negotiating prices, transaction types, designated locations and transport modes for exports. Upon agreement, the export of dried areca nuts will commence, U Aung Nay Lin, chair of the association, said.
The annual production of areca nuts is estimated at 230,000 tonnes. Myanmar exports them to foreign countries beyond self-sufficiency. India has a growing requirement for areca nuts to meet domestic demand. They also purchase areca nuts to produce value-added products. As India is the leading importer of areca nuts, Myanmar will endeavour to grasp a market share and boost areca nut exports.
There were 253,370 acres of areca nuts in Myanmar with an output of 230,000 tonnes, according to the 2020-2021 financial year’s statistics. Mon State is the top supplier with about 90,000 tonnes, followed by Taninthayi with over 80,000 tonnes and Kayin State with over 25,000 tonnes. — NN/EM