Exclusive data from the Pulse Atlas shows that Myanmar’s pulses have gained strength over recent years, particularly in black matpe, whose production rose from 425,000 MT to an expected 800,000 MT in 2023. Seedings for the newest crop do not begin until November, but reports from within the country suggest that the high demand and good prices for black matpe have led to an increase in acreage once more.

Fair weather, high demand, and good prices are reponsible for the uptick in production, as farmers have responded to positive movements in the international markets with rapid increases in acreage.

The Pulse Atlas: black matpe in Myanmar

• Myanmar produced 425,000 MT in 2021, 725,000 MT in 2022, and an expected 800,000 MT in 2023.

• 2023 production is more than 45% above the 2018 to 2022 five year average

• Production has dropped by 175,000 MT between 2017 and 2021 before a 2022 rise of 300,000 MT

Insider insights

Shyam Narsaria, CEO of Arvee International

• "The main reason for the rise is increased demand from India, as we have seen a shortage of Indian black matpe production the last 2-3 years. Pakistan is also a contributor to consumption, but India is still the main consumer."

• "Farmers in Myanmar are very focused on price – if the price goes up, they want more soil. Black matpe has been a very profitable venture as price and demand were both good, so area has gone up as a result."

• "Another reason is that we were blessed with almost six months of monsoon rains from May to the middle of October, which really helped. That’s given the soil plenty of moisture. We have had a very favourable climate during the last 2-3 years."

• "Current black matpe prices are around $900-$1000 F.O.B., and we could see another 5-10% rise as the Indian black matpe crop is reported to be around 25-30% short. Long-term, a stable price for black matpe is around $700-$800 F.O.B.”

• "A new crop of around 30-40,000 MT of black matpe will come from upper Myanmar in November, so we may see a price reduction sometime in January."