VOICED : Myanmar's edible bird nest industry comes home to roost

In southern Myanmar, concrete birdhouses are used to produce edible bird nests, a costly delicacy made from bird saliva. These nests are a major business in Bo Pin, with China as the top buyer. The nests are consumed in soups and desserts, valued for their health benefits and beauty-enhancing properties. The industry is booming, with global sales reaching $5 billion. Locals have embraced the practice, dedicating entire floors to birdhouses and consuming the nests themselves. The industry has grown significantly over the past decade, with man-made roosts becoming common to meet the increasing demand.

What is the primary material used to make edible bird's nests?

• Bird feathers

• Bird saliva

• Bird seeds

• Bird eggs

Which country is the largest consumer of edible bird's nests?

• India

• China

• Thailand

• Japan

For how long have the Chinese been consuming bird's nests?

• For a few decades

• For centuries

• For a few years

• For a millennium

What is the estimated global market value of bird's nests?

• $10 billion

• $3 billion

• $1 billion

• $5 billion

What has been a significant change in Bo Pin regarding birdhouses over the past decade?

• Whole floors of new houses are dedicated to birds

• Birdhouses are now illegal

• Birdhouses are now made of wood

• Birdhouses have decreased in number