Domestic maize consumption drops by half this year

The domestic maize consumption has dropped by half this year compared to last year, said U Min Khaing, chairman of Myanmar Corn Industrial Association.
Although the domestic demand for maize was between 800,000 and 900,000 tonnes in the last financial year, the domestic demand for maize is dropped to only 400,000 tonnes this FY.
The domestic demand for maize has dropped because of reduced livestock production and the high cost of livestock feed, which is impacted as a result of COVID-19, said U Min Khaing.
The maize is sold to domestic feed mills. The price of maize this year is better when compared to last year. The maize price in the Yangon market fetched K600 per viss while the crop is ranging between K580 and K600 per viss in the Mandalay market. Last year, the price of maize was only K450-500 per viss.
Myanmar is the second-largest exporter of maize among regional countries. At present, maize is cultivated in Shan, Kachin, Kayah and Kayin states and Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway regions. Myanmar has three maize seasons: cold season, summer and monsoon.
The country yearly produces 2.5-3 million tonnes of maize. The domestic surpassed maize is shipped to foreign countries such as Thailand, China, India and Viet Nam.
During the last FY2019-2020, the country exported 2.2 million tonnes of maize to the external market, with an estimated value of $360 million, the Ministry of Commerce’s data showed. — NN/GNLM