Coffee Market: 19 million Kyats for a ton in local market

In local market, prices of agricultural inputs have increased and now, coffee powder has fetched the price of over 19 million Kyats for a ton since the Mandalay coffee group has been distributing their product in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Soe Thein, May Myo Purcell Coffee, Pyin Oo Lwin said "We sold coffee at the price of 2,800 to 3,200 kyats per viss early this year. It is more cost-effective to produce coffee as finished product than as raw material, but we are not able to do that as it demands high investment. We produce both natural and instant coffee. Coffee cannot be exported to foreign markets as value-added product from Myanmar yet because we still need quality packaging and label system. Currently, prices of necessary equipment have gone up as the dollar exchange rate is high. It will be more convenient if we’re able to buy the necessary equipment easily."

It’s reported that coffee growers need cultivation technique by experts farm after farm in addition to encouragement for acceleration of coffee plantation.

Soe Thein, May Myo Purcell Coffee, Pyin Oo Lwin said "The Government shares harvest technique with us. If we are able to produce Myanmar coffee systematically, it can rank 1st to 4th foreign markets. It’ll be better for us if the government provides us with necessary equipment either through a credit or an installment system."

90 % the coffee strain grown in Myanmar is Arabica and it’s in Shan State and Mandalay Region. The country has 49,000 acres of coffee plantation, it’s reported.