Betel nut farmers in financial crisis as price drops
October 4, 2023
HURFOM: Last season, the price for dried betel nuts was between 5 to 6, 000 MMK for 1.63 kg., but this year, the same quantity of betel nut is priced at between 2,500 to 3,000 MMK.
The sharp price drop means a financial crisis for betel nut farmers in Mon State.
“All commodities are getting high but the price of betel nut has dropped. In fact, betel nuts should get good prices like other goods. But it’s half the price of last year so the farmers aren’t okay,” said a betel nut farmer from Southern Ye Township.
Betel nut farmers have had to make more investment than last year in hiring labor, harvesting fees and other associated costs. The price drop means farmers have a tough livelihood.
“Other goods get high prices but betel nut doesn’t. We don’t know why. We can’t sell betel nuts at this price. It doesn’t even cover the labor fee. I have lots of betel nuts but haven’t sold them yet. I’m waiting for a good price,” said a farmer from Maw Ka Nin village, Ye Township.
In Mon State, Ye Township has the most betel nut farms and the product is sold domestically as well as exported to India and Bangladesh.
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