Mizzima
Due to conflict in border areas fruit exports from Myanmar to China have dramatically dropped in 2024, compared to previous years.
Normally up to 70 per cent of the mangoes and watermelons exported from Myanmar to China go through overland border crossings, but because of fighting many of the border crossings that would be normally used for such trade have been shut.
Merchants have been forced to sell their products in Myanmar for considerably less than they would get for them in China. A truckload of high-quality watermelons goes for over 25 million Kyats in China but only for three to five million Kyats in Myanmar.
Over 90 per cent of border trade with China normally goes through the 105-Mile Trade Zone in Muse Township, northern Shan State, but it has been closed since the end of last year when the Brotherhood Alliance took control of the area.
With the 105-Mile border crossing closed, merchants have to instead use either the Tarlaw border trade post in Mongla, eastern Shan State or the crossing at Lwejie in Kachin State. Using these routes is far more expensive and adds an extra 10 days to transport times.
But, it is not just fighting in border areas that is hindering fruit exports. Farmers in the Taunggyi area of Shan State complained that they were having great difficulties exporting their melons because they could no longer use the Taunggyi to Loilem road in southern Shan State due to fighting. As a result, the melons had to take a longer more expensive road route which damaged many of the melons. Exporters said they suffered huge losses because of this.
Following Chinese-brokered peace talks between the Myanmar junta and the Brotherhood Alliance that started on 11 January, an agreement was reached to re-open border crossings.
As a result, the Brotherhood Alliance has re-opened two border crossings that it controls at Chinshwehaw in Laukkaing Township, Shan State and at Pang Hseng in Muse Township, northern Shan State. The Brotherhood Alliance has also agreed to re-open the 105-Mile border crossing and is planning to do so soon.
Currently, there are only two other open border crossings between China and Myanmar. They are Mongla in eastern Shan State and Lwejie in Kachin State.
The border crossing at Kan Paik Ti, in Kachin State’s Waingmaw Township, remains closed due to fighting in the area.
