Another lane will be opened to allow more than 100 trucks carrying muskmelons to cross the Chinese border each day at Kyin San Kyawt gate in Muse, Shan State.

Now only about 50 trucks a day are crossing the border, said U Sai Khin Maung, deputy chair of the Muse 105-mile fruit wholesale centre. “Chinese officials are taking longer to inspect trucks. Although we negotiated to allow about 100 trucks through, they permit only 50. Up to 200 melon trucks a day are expected during the melon harvest season, which could cause problems,” he said.

Now three so-called green lanes are open, but delays still occur, he added.

“Trucks of rice, beans, corn, onions, rubber and other products are stuck at Kyin San Kyawt, which is the main gate for fruits and vegetables. The melon trucks have to wait in line for three days to cross. There are not enough green lanes to accommodate all the trucks,” he said.

About 60 trucks carrying fruit, seafood and other products cross each day, but there will be more fruit trucks soon.

U Sai Myint Bo, a fruit seller, said, “The market is good, but there is difficulty crossing the border. I am afraid the fruit will spoil having to wait so long to cross.”

Myanmar exporters are suffering because of China’s strict rules during the pandemic, traders said.

“I don’t think China will relax its rules. There will still be delays. It depends on the rate of infection and COVID-19 measures on our side,” said the owner of Khwar Nyo Fruit Wholesale.

Despite the urging of traders, Myanmar and China have reached no agreement for Jin San Jiao gate, which is the main border crossing for watermelon and muskmelon exports.

The market price for watermelon is K900,000 to K1.2 million per tonne, according to market records.