Myanmar pomelos are receiving increased international interest, and demand is raising from several countries, including China which presents huge market potential for Myanmar, despite this fact local farmers aren’t producing enough to meet the demand.

“China wants to buy as much as two containers of pomelo weekly, but we only have a few plantation areas. Because of this we can’t provide enough to meet the growing demand,’’U Myint Thein, President of Myanmar Pomelo Producers and Exporters Association, said.

China’s demand for pomelo is very large, and Chinese buyers are buying more and more pomelos from Myanmar plantations.

Pomelos produced in Myanmar are higher quality than that of Chinese grown pomelos. In Myanmar markets they sell for K1,000 per kilo, and in Chinese markets they sell for an astounding K8,000 per kilo.

“We will provide help for the farmers who want to grow pomelos. We also have plans to meet with the association to talk about the difficulties they are facing,’’U Yan Lin, President of the Pyithu Hluttaw’s Committee for Development of Agriculture, Livestock and Urban Area, said.

In order to boost pomelo export, Myanmar needs to extend its pomelo plantation area, in addition to providing training and financial assistance to the farmers so they can boost their yields.

Myanmar Pomelo Producers and Exporters Association has proposed to the Mon State government for cooperation to increase pomelo plantations.

Pomelo is grown in Mon State, Karen State, Yangon Region, Bago Region, Ayeyarwaddy Region, Tanintharyi Region, and Kachin State.