CNI News

20 May 2024

China has suspended importing Myanmar watermelon through Myla border trade post in northern Shan State, according to watermelon traders.

 Although China has suspended importing Myanmar watermelon to import mango and sugarcane in time, Myanmar watermelon season has ended, Ko Thitsar, a watermelon trader, told CNI News.

" China has temporarily suspended importing Myanmar watermelon from the Myla border gate. China announced in advance when it would suspend importing watermelon. Because we requested to extend another week, it allowed. At present, watermelons also are almost no more. China is worried that traffic jams will take place at the main gate. China has given mango the green line status. It mainly wants to import mango and sugarcane." he said.

Because of difficult transportation and so high truck rental fee, watermelon traders and farmers made losses reportedly. As watermelon export to China has been suspended, mango export has become more convenient and truck rental fees have been saved by half, U Sai Khin Maung, owner of Khwar Nyo fruit broker's sales center, told CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar mangoes

" The watermelon market was not good. Traders and growers made losses. The cost was so high. But now mango exports will be promising. The truck rental fees have been saved by half. We can't export mango a lot. We can export between 30 and 50 tons a day." he said.

Although Myanmar watermelons were being exported to China through the Kyin San Kyawt-Wan Tein border trade in the past, because of battles in northern Shan State, they were exported through Myla border trade reportedly. However, it took too long on the way and truck rental fees were skyrocketing. So, traders and watermelon growers made losses reportedly.

Myanmar watermelons are mainly exported to China from October to May and in 2023, Myanmar exported over 100,000 tons of watermelon to China reportedly.