Strong demand by millers, low stock drive chickpea prices up

Chickpea prices have risen from the first week of December on account of the strong demand by millers and growers who store the seed for the coming cultivation season amid low stocks in the domestic market, according to the Mandalay Commodity Wholesale Centre. The chickpea prices fluctuated up and down depending on the demand of the domestic bean crushers in addition to high local consumption.
The prices touched a high of K260,000-K275,000 per 56.25/57.25 viss on 9 December, which were higher than those recorded last week of November.
Chickpea is usually cultivated between October and November as a winter crop and harvested during January and April. It is commonly grown in Bago, Ayeyawady, Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions.
The country primarily cultivates paddy, corn, cotton, sugarcane, pulses, and beans. Its second largest production is pulses and beans, accounting for 33 per cent of agro produce and 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 produce, various beans and pulses are one of the main items.
More than 18,000 kilos worth US$13.139 million were exported to foreign countries in the previous financial year 2022-2023 (April-March), according to the Ministry of Commerce’s statistics. — NN/EM