Commerce ministry in Myanmar says corn exports “very promising”

Commerce ministry in Myanmar says corn exports “very promising”

While overseas demand for some Myanmar commodities has fallen short of forecasts this year due to COVID-19, exports of several locally produced crops have nevertheless risen and some even look promising, government officials said.

Corn exports, for example, have risen by nearly 50 percent year-on-year in the current fiscal year and prospects for growth are looking bright. The annual corn export is now about 2.5 million tonnes compared to 1.5 million tonnes last year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Myanmar corn is usually exported to China but demand from Thailand has risen since the start of the 2019-20 fiscal year. According to the Ministry of Commerce, more than 60 percent of this year’s corn exports went to Thailand via the Tachileik and Myawaddy border towns.

“There are Thai companies that urgently need corn to be used as industrial or animal feed. Demand from this area looks very promising,” said U Khin Maung Lwin, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Commerce.

Demand from other countries like Vietnam and the Philippines has also risen. “Previously, maritime exports for corn was just 200,000 tonnes but this year we have shipped more than 600,000 tonnes so far. Demand trends have changed. In the past, we had to rely on China but since then we have been able to penetrate other overseas markets,” said U Khin Maung Lwin.

In June, the ministry said it was helping to connect farmers to local banks for funding to plant Myanmar corn, demand for which is expected to rise in the coming years.

The other Myanmar crop for which overseas demand has been promising is the avocado. According to the Myanmar Avocado Producer and Exporter Association, interest from Singapore and China on Hass avocados grown and harvested in Myanmar has been increasing.

Hass avocados are the most commonly grown avocado variety in the world. Its fruit has high oil content and a nutty, rich taste. Its flesh is smooth textured and it has a thick skin casing. The fruit ripens between September and February and is typically found in southern Shan State. Hass avocados account for 80pc of avocados consumed around the world.

In fact, Myanmar only started harvesting Hass avocados two years ago. As volumes are still low and due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, exports have yet to commence. But demand is already growing. “This year’s avocado cultivation has been successful and China has recently offered to import 500 tonnes per year. Singapore also wants 15 tonnes per week,” U Kyaw Soe Min, the association’s secretary.

“There is a potential to break into the international market due to high interest from China, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong,” said U Kyaw Soe Min.