Rice and broken rice totalling around 40,000 tonnes were exported through Muse 105 Mile in a month due to demand from the Chinese market, according to Muse 105 mile trading zone

Rice and broken rice totalling around 40,000 tonnes were exported through Muse 105 Mile in a month due to demand from the Chinese market, according to Muse 105 mile trading zone.

The prospect of the border trade market becomes positive again, industry sources said.

“The Chinese government has allowed official export through the border gate due to their demand. Permits are not needed. We can export by paying 18 yuan duty a bag. Rice export needs a permit [though]. The daily export is about 1700 tonnes of both rice and broken rice,” said Muse rice wholesale centre vice chair U Min Thein.

Muse border trade almost halted as a result of COVID-19 but trade was active again from February 13 and rice and broken rice are regularly ferried to Muse by 40 or 50 12-wheeled trucks every day.

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic last Thursday. Agricultural exports to China have been hit by border closures and lower exports due to travel restrictions imposed as part of attempts to limit the outbreak.

China buys Thukha, Nga Sein and Chin Thone in particular. A broken rice bag of 50 kilogrammes is priced between 105 and 125 yuan while a 50kg rice bag is priced between 118 and 135 yuan.

The number of exported rice and broken rice bags has increased with having around 50 trucks every day until the beginning of February, 2020 if compared with just around 20 trucks in October, November and December last year.