The Pheegyan banana, a species from Myanmar's Kyaukse area, is distributed to cities including Yangon, Mandalay, and Bago, as reported by the Consumer Affairs Department (Mandalay). Kyaukse, situated in the central Mandalay region, is one of nine districts with an agricultural focus. The region cultivates paddy, peas, oil crops, chili pepper, mango, and banana each season, with banana farming evolving from manageable to commercial scales.
In the 2024-2025 financial year (April-March), Kyaukse Township accounted for 519 hectares of banana cultivation, with harvesting completed on 512 hectares, according to the District Settlement and Land Records Department statistics. The banana can be cultivated throughout the year in Myanmar, with approximately 800 banana plants per acre (about 2,000 plants per hectare) planted at an eight-foot spacing. The banana blossoms after nine to ten months, with harvesting commencing three months later.
The Pheegyan banana variety is predominantly cultivated in the Kyaukse region. The input cost, including seedlings, wages, and other expenses, is around $715 per acre (approximately $1,770 per hectare). An acre yields about 800 banana branches. Brokers visit farms to purchase bananas, which are then supplied to shops in Yangon, Mandalay, and Bago.
The entire banana tree, including leaves, shoots, and peels, is utilized for various purposes. This practice represents a business opportunity for residents.
Source: New Light of Myanmar