The low demand from foreign countries is making it difficult for the soft-shell crab businessmen, it is learnt.
The soft-shell crabs are mainly exported to Japan. Previously, the soft-shell crabs sold for Ks8,500 per kilogram. The price of soft-shell crabs has decreased Ks7,000 per kilogram. Therefore, a factory which monthly produce about 100 tonnes reduced the export products to 50 tonnes, it is learnt.
Last year, the demand of soft-shell crab was high. The processing factories of the softshell crabs have since reduced production volume because of the low demand. The market is expected to raise its head at the end of this month, said U Han Myint who is engaged in the breeding enterprise of soft-shell crabs in Kyauk Phyu Township.
The soft-shell crab market should penetrate to European Union (EU) as people from EU countries enjoy soft-shell crabs, it is learnt.
Most of the factories which produce the soft-shell crabs are at Kyauk Tan Township in Yangon Region. The soft-shell crabs are also bred at the blocks in Kyauk Phyu, Rakhine State and Taninthayi and Ayeyawady regions.
Rakhine soft-shell crabs fetch Ks8,000 per kilogram with eight crabs at Yangon market whereas the soft-shell crab price per kilogram with twelve crabs are Ks5,000.
The market price is dependent on the demand and offered price from Japan, it is learnt from Japanese dealers.
The export of the soft-shell crabs in 2008-2009 fiscal year amounted to US$27 million. However, the income from the export of soft-shell crabs has been on the decline, it is learnt from the soft-shell crab exporters to Japan.
Myanmar exports its softshell crabs to Hong Kong, China (Taipei), Thailand and Japan after the soft-shell crabs are frozen, it is learnt.
Source: Global new Light of Myanmar
