With ban on exports to Bangladesh, Arakan betel nut growers face woeful sales prospects

By Admin 17 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
17 October 2023, Sittwe
 
As the export of betel nuts from Arakan State to Bangladesh has been banned, demand is decreasing and betel nut farmers are facing losses.
 
Betel nut farmers say demand for betel nuts has been declining since June, when the export of betel nuts to Bangladesh was prohibited.
 
“Betel nuts are not selling at all and betel nut growers are suffering financial losses. The prices of commodities have risen exponentially. Those who sell betel nuts at low prices are losing money,” said Daw Aye Khaing Nyo, a betel nut grower from Kywetel Village in Mrauk-U Township.
 
Previously, 25 viss of betel nuts sold for more than K100,000, but the price is currently around K60,000.
 
“In recent years, we have sold betel nuts in Kyauktaw and Sittwe townships by boat. Now, no one goes to Kyauktaw and Sittwe to sell betel nuts by boat. Betel nut growers are forced to store betel nuts at home and face economic hardship,” said U Tun Chay Maung, the administrator of Kywetel Village.
 
Betel nuts are mainly grown in Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw and Buthidaung townships at commercial scale and in other townships on a smaller scale.
 
At present, betel nut growers are unable to hire workers due to the low price and declining sales of betel nuts.
 
“We will be able to hire workers if we fetch good prices for our products. We cannot hire workers due to low demand and lower prices,” said Daw Khat Chay, a betel nut seller in Kyaungtaung Village, Pauktaw Township.
 
More than 1,300 acres of betel nut are among about 4,000 acres of crops destroyed by Cyclone Mocha in Arakan State, which made landfall near Sittwe May 14, junta media reported.