Data from the customs office in Kunming shows that 17,285 watermelons crossed the border between Myanmar and China at Wanding town between January and February this year. The import volume weighed 135,600 tons, which is an increase of 6.62% in comparison with the previous year, and the overall value was around 95 million yuan [14.5 million USD], which is an increase of 49.27% compared to the same period last year.
Watermelons from Myanmar are planted every year between June and July. They enter the retail market every year between October and the sales season lasts until May in the subsequent year. These watermelons sell well because they enter the market when Chinese melons have already retreated. In addition, the melon rind is thin and the flavor is excellent.
Wanding town is the main entry point for Myanmar watermelons into the Chinese market. “Chinese Spring Festival [12 February, 2021] is always a peak period for watermelon sales. Last year, however, our sales of Myanmar watermelons encountered difficulties as Covid-19 spread across the globe. A large volume of watermelons became unmarketable. This year the conditions were much better because the outbreak of Covid-19 has largely been brought under control in China. Consumers in China are happy to celebrate Spring Festival again, and the reasonably-priced Myanmar watermelons are an excellent way to celebrate. They only cost around 3-5 yuan [0.46-0.76 USD] per kg.” This is according Liu Hongfang, general development manager at Ruili City Wanding Town Changge Trade Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as ‘Changge company’). Manager Liu said that the watermelon market is slowly warming up again.
Manager Liu has more than 20 years of experience in the import of watermelons from Myanmar. He explained that Chinese market demand for Myanmar watermelons continues to grow every year. The Changge company was established in 2011. They invested 500 million yuan [76 million USD] in the construction of an agricultural warehouse, distribution center, and online information and trade center that covers an area of 33 hectares. They sell their imported Myanmar watermelons in nearly all Chinese provinces, but especially in Beijing, Shanghai, and Zhengzhou.
Changge company was established 10 years ago
They cooperate with partners in Myanmar in more ways than trade. “During the plantation season we send our technical team to assist farmers in Myanmar with proper plantation technology. In addition, we also arrange for two specialized training sessions on our watermelon plantation in Myanmar,” said manager Liu Hongfang. During the outbreak of Covid-19 the technical team of Changge was unable to travel to Myanmar, which is why the overall surface area devoted to watermelon plantation and the overall production volume both declined. Measurements have been put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but the additional border inspections and disinfection processes are quite severe. However, fruit traders believe that these measurements are necessary to guarantee a bright future for the Chinese fruit market.
Yang Conglai, an experienced employee of the customs office in Wanding with more than 30 years on the job, explained that he is aware of the responsibility for normalization during the pandemic. He and his colleagues gave up their holiday to make sure the watermelon season proceeded as smoothly as possible under the circumstances. They work with ‘green channels’, ‘reserved channels’, and sampling tests to make the customs inspection more convenient and guarantee that customs is both secure and swift. He hopes that the watermelon trade between Myanmar and China ‘sweetens’ the deal for both countries.
Source : Fresh Plaza
