Reeds fetching good prices due to high demand abroad

06 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 February 2023, Sittwe

Reeds from Arakan State that are traditionally used in broom-making are fetching good prices thanks to demand from foreign countries.

Those who collect or sell reeds are benefiting from increased demand from neighbouring Bangladesh, as well as South Korea, Japan, Thailand and Pakistan. A blade of reed sells for K5, and one viss of dried reed fetches K2,100, according to Dr. Win Myint Lay, a reed dealer from Ann Township.

“Foreign countries are buying via Yangon. Middlemen from Yangon come and buy, and some dealers also go to Yangon to sell reeds,” said Dr. Win Myint Lay.

Local residents in Arakan State said that until recently, they did not know that there was substantial demand for reeds outside of Myanmar. But with export markets growing, those who cut reeds are earning between K10,000 and K25,000 per day.

Because of the demand from foreign countries, some businesspeople are growing reeds on farms at commercial scale.

“Some are growing to reap next year. Casual workers and people from the rural areas are benefitting from the high demand. But the high demand can also result in excessive reaping of reeds, [negatively impacting] its availability next year,” said reed dealer Ko Than Tun from Pat Kwe Village in Ann Township.

Reeds bloom in October and December, and grow in clumps across Arakan State, but mainly in Ann, Taungup, Thandwe and Gwa townships.