Myanmar sets to export 4 million tonnes of rice in the next 2020 – 2021 financial year

Myanmar targets to export four million tonnes of rice and broken rice in the coming financial year 2020-2021, said Vice President U Aung Than Oo of Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF).
“We intend to reach the rice export target at four million tonnes. At present, we see an increase in our production. Moreover, there are no erratic weather records this year. Therefore, the country has planned to export four million tonnes for next FY,” he added.
MRF expected to ship 2.4 million tonnes of rice, and broken rice in the current FY and the country meet the export target before the financial year-end. Between 1 October and 21 August, Myanmar sent over 625,214 metric tons to neighbouring countries through border trade, while over 1.8 million tonnes of rice and broken rice were shipped to foreign trade partners via maritime trade, totalling over 2.4 million tonnes.
A surge in rice exports through sea trade was contributed to meeting year’s export target, MRF stated.
Border trade sharply dropped due to China clamping down on illegal trade and China’s precautionary measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, he highlighted.
“Illegal trade is highly witnessed between Myanmar and China borders in the previous years. This year, traders sent the goods via legitimate trade route, and trading volume sharply fell,” he stressed.
Ove the past eleven months, the value of Myanmar rice and broken export was estimated at US$738.329 million.
Myanmar has shipped rice to 66 foreign markets. China is the main buyer of Myanmar rice, followed by Malaysia and Madagascar. Philippines is the fourth-largest buyer and Guinea the fifth-largest buyer of Myanmar rice.
In the current FY, Myanmar has exported broken rice mostly to Belgium, followed by China, Senegal, Indonesia and the Netherlands. Broken rice has been placed in 60 foreign markets.
ASEAN countries constitute 18 per cent of Myanmar total rice exports with over 440,560 tonnes. In comparison, 29 per cent of total rice exports in Myanmar goes to China with over 694,222 tonnes, followed by African countries with 27 per cent after exports of around 652,378 tonnes. The European Union countries account for over 20 per cent of rice exports with over 489,478 tonnes while other countries represent six per cent of exports with over 151,708 tonnes.
Myanmar shipped 3.6 million tonnes of rice in the 2017-2018 financial year, which was an all-time record in rice exports. The export volume plunged to 2.3 million tonnes, in the 2018-2019FY. (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)

(The Global New Light of Myanmar: https://www.gnlm.com.mm/myanmar-sets-4-mln-tonnes-of-rice-export-target-in-next-fy/ )

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