Myanmar corn exported via sea route

Myanmar corn is exported abroad via sea route, said U Min Khaing, chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association (MCIA).
In the previous years, Myanmar corn is exported through both border and sea routes. However, Myanmar is conveying the corn to the Philippines, India, Viet Nam, Laos and Singapore through sea route due to the closure of land borders.
Besides, the corn prices are still high compared to the previous years, U Min Khaing said.
“Currently, the price of corn continues to rise. It can also be said that the price of the corn this year is higher than the last year,” he added.
At present, the price of corn in the domestic market fetched a good price of around K680 per viss while the FOB exported corn is priced at around US$259 per tonne.
In the 2020-2021FY, Myanmar exported around 2.3 million tonnes of corn to foreign counties, according to the association.
Of 2.3 million tonnes, Thailand is the largest importing country of Myanmar corn, whereas the remaining numbers of the corn were conveyed to China, India and Viet Nam. Myanmar is allowed for corn export to Thailand between 1 February and 31 August with Form-D, under zero tariff. Thailand imposed a maximum tax rate of 73 per cent on corn import to protect the rights of their growers if the corn is imported during the corn season of Thailand.
Myanmar exported 2.2 million tonnes of corn to the external market in the past financial year 2019-2020, with an estimated value of $360 million, the Ministry of Commerce’s data showed.
At present, corn is cultivated in Shan, Kachin, Kayah and Kayin states and Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway regions. Myanmar has three corn seasons. The country yearly produces 2.5-3 million tonnes of corn for export and local consumption. — NN/GNLM