Myanmar sesame seed market sees high demand from Chinese buyers

The price of black sesame seeds recovered on the back of strong demand by China in the recent days in Mandalay market, the pulses traders from Mandalay said.
The demand on the newly harvested sesame varieties (brown sesame, yellow sesame and white sesame) is halted for now. The price of black sesame has risen on the high demand. A three-basket bag was priced at only K145,000 last month, but it increased up to K165,000 in mid-August, Soe Win Myint brokerage in Mandalay stated.
“We see high inflow of black sesame from Shwebo, Wetlet and Monywa areas in Mandalay market this monsoon season. Moreover, the sesame seed from Magway Region also starts to enter Mandalay market. The black sesame is high on demand. In addition, Yuan value is also gaining. China uses black sesame in snack food business, oil production and making herbal medicines. There is one thing that I want to remind the growers to take shelter in time of harvesting and winnowing of sesame for avoiding the excess of acid content,” owner of Soe Win Myint Depot suggested.
Both raw sesame seeds and valued-added sesame seeds without husk 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, he added.—Min Htet Aung (Mandalay sub-printing house)