Small supply of chickpeas pushes up prices

The small supply of chickpeas elevated prices, according to the Mandalay Commodity Wholesale Centre.
The prices moved in the range between K201,000 and 206,500 per 56.25/57.25 viss on 1 April 2023 and climbed to K207,000 and K219,000 per 56.25/57.25 viss depending on varieties on 22 April.
The figures showed a sharp increase of K11,000-14,000 per 56.25/57.25 viss within three weeks.
The chickpea is a winter crop and is usually grown in October and November. The harvest season is from January to April. They are mostly found in Bago, Ayeyawady, Sagaing and Magway regions.
The country primarily cultivates paddy, corn, cotton, sugarcane, various pulses and beans. Its second-largest production is pulses and beans, accounting for 33 per cent of agro products and covering 20 per cent of growing acres. Among them, black beans, pigeon peas and green grams constitute 72 per cent of bean acreage. Other beans including peanuts, chickpeas, soybeans, black-eyed beans, butter beans and rice beans are also grown in the country. Agriculture is the backbone of Myanmar’s economy. Among agricultural products, various beans and pulses are one of the main items.
Myanmar ships chickpeas to foreign markets beyond self-sufficiency. More than 18,000 kilogrammes worth US$13.139 million have been exported to foreign countries in the 2022-2023 Financial Year, according to the Ministry of Commerce’s statistics. — NN/EM