“This year, India has made purchase so the supply went short in the local market. China is the biggest buyer. India’s demand was low last year but resumed this year as usual. So, the areca nut supply becomes short in the local market,” said Ma Thiri Aung from Mizzima areca nut trading in Mandalay.

Due to mounted orders for young areca nut from China in previous years, the supply of dried areca nut become rare and the price escalated.

“In previous years, price of young areca nut was higher than that of dried areca nut, and this incentive encouraged farm owners to sell areca nuts in young stage skipping the drying stage. As a result, dried areca nuts become rare and the price has surged this year,” she added.