Despite a drop in monsoon sesame output, sesame seed prices rise due to growing domestic consumption and solid foreign demand. Brisk sales of sesame reap a handsome profit for growers after harvest time, according to a news report by Magway’s Consumer Affairs Department.

Seasonal crops, including rice, sesame, various pulses and kitchen crops, are cultivated in Pantawpyin village-tract, Minhla Township, Magway Region. Sesame seeds were grown in May and harvested in August.

Sesame seeds are sent to Mandalay and Yangon cities from depots in Minhla Township. They are also exported to China and Singapore through the Yangon market. Furthermore, there is a steady demand from domestic oil millers and sesame-based food industries such as sesame jam and roasted sesame businesses.

Cultivating white sesame costs K300,000 per acre, including seeds, agricultural inputs, and labourers’ wages. The output is estimated at 10-13 baskets per acre depending on land condition, said a grower from Pantawpyin village-tract.

Sesame Farmer Development Association opened a sales hub at Myint Myat Taw Win Company’s factory located beside Magway’s ring road and has started buying white and black sesame seeds beginning from 30 August 2024 without brokerage fees and labour wages.

Out of sesame varieties (white sesame, yellow sesame, brown sesame, black sesame and Japanese white sesame), Japanese white sesame and black sesame (Samone variety) are highly demanded in the market.

The sesame is commonly cultivated in Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing regions. Japanese white sesame from Kyaukse district are the most preferred in the market.