Cashew farmers suffering from junta’s blockade and fighting

By Admin 13 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
13 May 2024, Sittwe

There is no demand for cashew nuts, a local cash crop, as trade has been seriously disrupted by armed conflicts in Arakan State, according to local cashew nut growers.

With the cashew harvest ongoing, there are no buyers, and growers complain that they can’t sell their products to markets outside Arakan State.

“In previous years, a viss of raw cashews fetched around 5,000 kyats. However, there are no buyers this year. We don’t know what to do,” said a cashew nut grower in Ann Township.

Cashews are a popular food product with several health benefits including prevention of heart disease.

Previously, cashews produced in Arakan State were exported to Thailand and China via Yangon and Mandalay. But the regime has blockaded roads and waterways in Arakan State since the fighting broke out on November 13 of last year, cutting off the trade.

“We can’t make exports due to the blockade. We can’t also go to cashew farms due to the fighting. We can’t take care of them,” said a cashew farm owner.

Cashew is grown on a commercial scale in Ann, Kyaukphyu, Ramree and Manaung townships.

A viss of cashew nuts fetches 3,000 kyats in Manaung Township, but the demand is low, said cashew farmers.

“We sold cashew nuts once [after renewed fighting began], but there has been no buyer since then. We are having financial hardships now,” said a cashew grower from Manaung Township.

The economy of Arakan State has been in precipitous decline as the state cannot sell rice, other crops, meat and fish to other parts of the country or abroad.