Prices of three main export pulses indicated an increase of K180,000 per tonne for green gram, K55,000 for pigeon pea (red gram) and K31,000 for black gram RC on 13 February 2023 compared to that of 11 February.
The prices climbed on the back of strong demand from China. The chickpea price remained unchanged.
Between 6 and 10 February 2023, the price of green gram (Shwewah variety) from the Kayan area moved constantly up by K60,000 per day in Yangon markets. On 11 February, the price stayed the same. Yet it indicated a tremendous increase of K180,000 per tonne on 13 February. The figures showed a sharp rise of K540,000 per tonne within seven days.
On 13 February, the price of green gram went up to K225,000-230,000 per three-basket bag from K215,000-220,000 per bag.
The price of pigeon pea (red gram) moved up to K2,067,500 per tonne on 13 February from K2,012,000 per tonne on 11 February. The pigeon pea price hit a record high of K2,175,000 per tonne on 19 September 2022. The prevailing price this year has not reached the record price yet.
Meanwhile, the price of black gram (RC) increased to K1,871,000 per tonne on 13 February from K1,840,000 on 11 February. The price peaked at K2.1 million per tonne on 31 August 2022.
The prices of those pulses spiked this month.
The black gram and pigeon pea are primarily exported to India, whereas green gram is shipped to European countries, China and other external markets.
The growers are receiving a handsome profit from high prices during the harvest time of pulses. High prices will not pose any burden on domestic consumers, unlike rice which is a staple food in the country.
There are 9.63 million acres of various pulses in the country, with an estimated value of 24.16 million baskets. Myanmar exported 1.75 million tonnes of various pulses worth $1.324 billion to foreign trade partners in the 2020-2021 financial year. — TWA/EM
