Myanmar Fishery Federation (MFF) made its movement to impose a ban on exporting small crabs due to the results in a crab shortage in the industry

The Myanmar Fishery Federation (MFF) has pledged to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation that it will restore a ban on exporting crabs that weigh less than 100 grams (.22 pounds, or 3.5 ounces).

U Win Kyaing, the General Secretary of the Myanmar Fishery Federation, said: “When it began allowing crab exports, the government did not adopt any restrictions or requirements. Because of this, exporters tend to import not only large crabs, but also smaller ones. This results in a crab shortage in the industry.”

Previously, the government restricted the export of crabs weighing less than 100 grams. However, former President U Thein Sein’s administration relaxed all such requirements in order to encourage the crab exporters and producers, and to bring more crabs to the global market. However, this resulted in an increasing demand for crab, and has impacted the breeding of crabs as well.

The secretary pointed out: “In breeding crabs, we breed the smaller ones in containers much like a basket. If the government bans the export of crabs that weigh less than 100 grams, then we can use the smaller crabs in breeding.”

Currently, the Myanmar Fishery Federation, in conjunction with assistance from international experts, is implementing a soft-shell crab production projects. It is located in Labutta Townships in the Ayeyarwady Region.

As of this writing, Myanmar produces crabs in the Yangon, Tanintharyi, and Ayeyarwady Regions, as well as Rakhine State. It exports these crabs to European countries and to other nations in Southeast Asia.

(Myanmar Business Today: https://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/mff-moves-impose-ban-export-small-crabs )

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