December 27, 2024

Myanmar exports over 1.7 million tonnes of corn this fiscal year

The Myanmar Corn Industrial Association has reported that the country has exported over 1.7 million tonnes of corn to foreign markets during the current fiscal year.

The rise in corn exports has been attributed to strong international demand, which has also driven prices upward.

Myanmar's corn is primarily shipped to India, the Philippines, and Vietnam via maritime trade routes. Additionally, corn is transported to Thailand through the Tachilek border.

Thailand permits maize imports under a zero-tariff scheme with Form D certification during the period from February 1 to 31 August 31, 2024. Outside this period, Thailand imposes a maximum tax rate of 73% on corn imports to protect its domestic growers during the local corn harvest season.

China has also become a significant buyer of Myanmar's corn under the alternative development programme. Formal corn trade between Myanmar and China began at the end of 2022. To date, 112 Myanmar companies have been authorised to export corn to China.

In the 2022 corn season, Myanmar exported over two million tonnes of corn, with the majority destined for Thailand. This trend continues to highlight the importance of corn as a key agricultural export for the country.

Corn cultivation in Myanmar is concentrated in Shan, Kachin, Kayah, and Kayin states, as well as the Mandalay, Sagaing, and Magway regions. The country has three corn-growing seasons: winter, summer, and monsoon. Myanmar's annual corn production is estimated at 2.5 to 3 million tonnes, underpinning its role as a significant player in the regional corn market.

-      The Global New Light of Myanmar