What would you do if you felt like going bananas in Myanmar? Well, you’d head to the banana market in Yangon, right?

I had been reading about some of the more interesting things to do in Yangon, when I came across a description of a coconut and banana market in Yangon. I initially figured it was just part of a larger market, but when I dug a bit deeper, I discovered it was a standalone market, and therefore, one I had to visit!

Luckily, it was located close to Yangon’s San Pya Fish Wholesale Market, so we could get our fill of markets and go to both of them in the one morning.

We had been using the Grab Taxi Application throughout our time in Yangon (and Mandalay for that matter), but when putting in the destination location, the banana market in Yangon didn’t appear. So I pointed to a nearby location and when the taxi was in the vicinity, I repeated the words banana a few times until the driver understood what I meant. He had a bit of a laugh, and dropped us outside of what is one of the more unique markets I’ve visited in the region.

Banana Market Yangon

This shipment of bananas have been offloaded on the jetty. This chap is carrying 2 large bunches up the hill.

The banana market in Yangon is located on a small street that has direct access to the Yangon River via the Kyee Myindaing Jetty.

The market is a hive of activity.

Large bunches of bananas, still attached to their long stalks, are carried by men up to the market from the boats that dock at the jetty.

This looks like back breaking work. The stalks have been cut in a way that leaves a hook type shape. The workers then hoist the large bunches over their shoulder and transport them, often two bunches at a time. The strongest carry four at a time.

Here you see the way the stems have been shaped into hooks allowing convenient carrying.

Once the bananas are dropped at the market, they are sorted according to type, and buyers analyse them for quality. Once sold, they are loaded into trucks or trishaws, depending on the volume bought, and taken to markets and shops all round Yangon.

Discussion take place between the sellers and potential buyers

The process of packing the truck has begun, whilst the trishaw driver waits patiently for his next load.

Whilst bananas are grown in different regions in Myanmar, these bananas have been grown in the region surrounding the Irrawaddy Delta, a vast expanse of water in southern Myanmar.

There are over a dozen varieties of banana grown in Myanmar and they come in yellow, green, and red. Some are used for cooking (plantains), with the rest ready for eating as is, with names such phee gyan and naan tha phu.

Bananas are the main source of fruit in offerings being made to Buddha.

Coconuts, Sugar Cane, and Mangoes

Although bananas are the mainstay of the banana market in Yangon, there is also a smaller trade in coconuts and sugar cane. I’ve read mangoes are also traded there when in season.

There were a few large piles of coconuts being stored the morning we visited. There was an ongoing process of de-husking the coconuts. And despite the amount of coconuts at the market, the job is still manual, and the young and fit are using a spike to complete the task.

De-husked coconuts ready for shipping

De-husking a coconut the manual way using a large spike.

Large piles of cut sugar cane are ready to be distributed to make some delicious sugar cane juice.

Piles of sugar cane

The banana market in Yangon is a fun place to visit and wander around for half an hour or so. It can be combined with a visit to the San Pya Fish Wholesale Market.

Banana Market Yangon is located on the side street between Kyee Myindaing Jetty and Kyee Myindaing Kanner Road.

Where to stay in Yangon:

We stayed at the delightful Hotel Lavender which is a 5 minute walk to Shwedagon Pagoda, and has an all-day market operating on the street below.

Check for prices and availability here.

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