THE international rice price has fallen by 40 per cent compared to last year, leading to a decline in export price of rice such as Ae-ma-hta and Ngasein, but respective mills are buying wet paddy at K1.1-1.2 million and dry paddy at K1.3-1.4 million, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.

Following the negotiations to boost exports and enable a fair market price for exporters, millers and farmers, mills are buying at these rates, it stated.

However, recent social media reports have suggested that the price of rice has fallen to K800,000. These reports are just a copy and share from social media without concrete data on producing villages, farmers, rice type, fertilizers and agricultural chemicals.

MRF has suggested that if the price is really that low, the complete data should be sent to the federation, which will then negotiate fair prices.

Sinthukha, Manaw Thukha, Phantee Thukha, and 90-day varieties should be given priority as they have export markets in China, it said.

If the price of wet rice falls below K1.1 million, the farmers are advised to send their village name, farmer name, rice variety, estimated baskets to sell and contact numbers to the MRF at 01 21826668 and 01 230112829. — MT/ZN