Surging demand from China boosts Chaste tree seed prices

Mandalay market sees bustling trade activity of the Chaste tree seeds on China’s robust demand, pushing up the price, Mandalay traders emphasized.
The Chaste seeds have been abundantly flowing into Mandalay market from the last week of July. Chinese traders offer K42,000 per viss of Chaste seeds. The sellers are doing a roaring trade, U Soe Win Myint, an owner of the Soe Win Myint commodity depot, said.
“Chaste tree is naturally grown in the central Myanmar regions. It is commonly found along Ayeyawady and Chindwin riverbanks in tropical regions. They grow best in sandy soil. It is utilized in pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturing. It is a lucrative herb. Residents earn extra income from this. There is an old saying that an ignorant person walks over a pot of gold. Our country is rich in natural resources,” he elaborated.
The Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) produces berries in July and August. The Chaste seeds are exported to foreign markets. Myanmar began the exportation of Chaste seeds to China on a trial run ten years ago. Thereafter, it grasped a strong market share in China. — Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub printing House)/EM