Khit / Saw (NSS) - Oct 25

Myanmar has been earning less from exporting bamboo due to lack of qualified bamboo cultivation, according to a bamboo expert from bamboo shoots and bamboo cultivation association told The NSS. 

“There are continuous demands from foreign countries. Also, bamboo nodes and bamboos in sizes of 3 feet. However, due to a lack of qualified bamboo cultivation, it is difficult to take place in the export market. The income is not much compared to the neighbors including China because only elite bamboos are exported. We don’t have qualified bamboo cultivation,” U Kyaw Win said. 

Myanmar bamboos are used for making mats, baskets, etc., and mature bamboos are used for consumer goods such as bamboo cups, scent sticks, furniture, parquets, tables, and plate shelves. 

“If unqualified bamboo like curve bamboo or shoots or mature bamboo were cut, the size of bamboo will be large and straight. In this way, we have to cut off all unqualified bamboos of bamboo plants, and the qualified bamboo will be produced. If a bamboo cultivation owner takes care of bamboo plants as mentioned, qualified bamboo will be produced in perfect size and straight,” he continued. 

The reasons for the scarcity of bamboo include the burning of bamboo forests and the cultivation of shifting agriculture, which prevent the regeneration of bamboo species. Additionally, improper harvesting practices and unsustainable cutting methods contribute to the decline in bamboo availability.

At present, due to the rise of transportation costs, the price of bamboo are ranging between 1500-2500 Kyats in the market.