Falling prices halt watermelon exports to China

WATERMELON

WATERMELON growers on alluvial lands on the Ayeyawady river,  TandaOo Township, Meikhtila plains, and Tatkon Township in Mandalay Region have halted the export of watermelons to China because of the Chinese RMB (Renminbi) falling in value.

After the harvesting the Monsoon paddy, farmers begin to grow the watermelons around mid-November so they can sell the fruits in January.  

Farmers invest about K1 million per acre for hybrid watermelon seeds, furrow ploughing, irrigation and labour charges.

After the Chinese Lunar New Year in the second week of February, as a result of declining the demand from China and the falling price of the fruit, farmers halted watermelon exports.

The farmers have sold their produce on stalls along the Yangon-Mandalay highway road for between K500 to K1500.—Maung Pyi Thu (Mdy)