Nipa palm thatching business sees revival in aftermath of Cyclone Mocha

By Admin 05 Jun 2023

DMG Newsroom
5 June 2023, Sittwe

The nipa palm business has been revived in Arakan State in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha as people are repairing their damaged houses, according to nipa palm leaves sellers.

The business had been slow before the storm, but demand has surged lately as the prices of building materials have jumped following the cyclone and many people are opting for nipa palm leaves for roofing.

Nipa palm thatching sheets were previously sold for around 10,000 kyats per 100 sheets. The price has increased by 10,000 to 15,000 kyats now, according to sellers.

“We didn’t increase the prices. But buyers offer that price,” said nipa palm thatch producer U Tun Aye Kyaw from Pipinyin village in Mrauk-U Township.

The price of a 10-ft long corrugated roofing sheet has increased from 12,000 kyats before the storm to 20,000 kyats now.

It takes around 50 corrugated metal sheets to roof an ordinary house, which would cost over 1 million kyats if calculated at the current price.

The price to cover that same roof in less durable nipa palm averages around 300,000 kyats.

“The roof of my house was blown off. As corrugated roofing sheets are expensive, I have had to repair the house with nipa palm sheets. It is good to support local products,” said U Than Maung of Mrauk-U Township.

Nipa palm is mainly grown in Rathedaung, Ponnagyun and Mrauk-U townships in Arakan State.

Despite the revival of the business, many nipa palm plantations were damaged by the storm, according to growers.

“Nipa palm leaves are fetching good prices now. But all the nipa palm plantations were destroyed by the storm, and we have nothing to sell next year,” said Daw Oo Saw Yin from Minzichaung village in Ponnagyun Township.

According to junta statistics, over 230 acres of nipa palm plantations were damaged by Cyclone Mocha. The actual extent of the damage is likely higher.