11 June
Myanmar’s corn exports to Thailand significantly soared to over 1.2 million tonnes through borders between Myanmar and Thailand during October and May period, said an official of the Ministry of Commerce.
So far, Myanmar has exported about 2 million tonnes of corns to foreign countries. The sharp increase in export volume is attributed to the growing demand from Thailand this year.
Earlier, China is the major purchaser of Myanmar’s corn. Later, Myanmar traders turned to the Thailand border market. Additionally, Myanmar exports corn to India, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines through maritime trade. Yet, the volume of corn exports to those markets is quite small.
In the current fiscal, Myanmar has shipped over 500,000 tonnes of corns to external markets through maritime trade.
It has been one year since China suspended the importation of some agro products through the borders. Besides, corn is not listed in China’s legitimate goods for border trade. Therefore, the ministry is making an effort to seek China’s AQSIQ registration and to reach an agreement with China for legal trade.
The corn crop is mostly demanded by feedstuff processing business. This being so, it is a potential business for both domestic and external markets, said an official of the Ministry of Commerce.
Myanmar surpassed corn export target of over a million tonnes in the current fiscal.
Myanmar shipped 1.5 million tons of corn, worth US$270 million, to foreign countries in the previous financial year. During the previous fiscal, 200,000 tons of corn, worth over $40 million, was shipped through maritime trade, while 1.3 million tons of corn, with an estimated value of $230 million, was sent through the borders, according to the data released by the Ministry of Commerce.
As per data from the Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar exported 1.4 million tonnes of corn, worth over $290 million, in the 2017-2018FY; 1.2 million tonnes of corn, worth $250 million, in the 2016-2017FY; and, 1.1 million tonnes of corn, worth $300 million, in the 2015-2016FY.
Myanmar is the second-largest exporter of corn among regional countries. There are over 1.9 million acres of corn plantations, primarily in Sagaing and Magway regions, and Chin, Kayin, Shan, and Kayah states.
Ko Htet (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
