Lack of demand winds up Myanmar corn exports by sea

Myanmar’s corn exports by sea have come to an end due to the lack of demand, said Chair U Min Khaing of Myanmar Corn Industrial Association.
Myanmar has been delivering corns to the neighbouring countries Thailand and China via the land border.
The shipment to Singapore, Malaysia and Viet Nam abruptly stopped owing to zero demand, he added. “The lack of demand by sea is attributed to the political changes and disruption in the logistic sector,” said U Min Khaing.
Myanmar is conveying corns to Thailand through the land border, with a tonne of maize fetching up about 8,000 baht. Myanmar is allowed for corn export to Thailand’s Maesot between 1 February and 31 August with Form-D, under zero tariff.
Myanmar corn exports were exempted from tax between February and August.
Thailand imposed a maximum tax rate of 73 per cent on corn import to protect the rights of their growers if the corns are imported during the corn season of Thailand, in line with the notification of the World Trade Organization regarding corn import of Thailand, said a corn exporter.
With the local corn consumption growing, Myanmar’s corn export to foreign markets is expected to reach 1.6 million tonnes this year, the association stated.
Myanmar exported 2.2 million tonnes of corns to the external market in the past Financial Year 2019-2020 ended 30 September, 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- winter, summer and monsoon.
The country yearly produces 2.5-3 million tonnes of corns. — NN/GNLM