New tamarind prices fetch higher price than old stocks

The new tamarind (flesh) prices are K2,000 per viss higher than old ones, reaching K3,300-4,600 per viss depending on different qualities on 18 March. The old tamarinds were worth K1,900-2,500 per viss.
The new ones have more sour flavour than the old ones, while the old ones give more pulp.
The new tamarind supply to Yangon’s market is about one month late. Normally, new tamarind entered the Yangon market in December in previous years. They flowed into the market on 22 January 2024, with the price of K3,100 per viss, said a trader engaged in tamarind depot on Kayay Street.
The market sees high demand for the old one on account of its cheaper prices, a seller from Seinpan Street in the Bayintnaung area told the GNLM.
The traders forecast low output of tamarind this year. Yet, the yields in tamarind-producing areas turned out good after two months of harvest, Mandalay’s market figures showed.
Tamarinds from Pyay, Thaekon and Padigon areas started to enter the Yangon market. Then, the large supply of tamarind from the Yamethin, Pyawbwe and Tatkon areas flowed into the market. There is an abundant production of tamarind in Pakokku, Myaing, Kyaukpadaung, Popa, Mahlaing, Taungtha, Nyaung U, Dawei and southern Shan State areas.
The domestic market did not see a price rise in tamarind in 2022 and 2023 amid the lack of exports.
U Zaw, a seller in Seinpan Street, guessed that exports might weigh on domestic tamarind prices in 2024. — TWA/KK