Livestock sector struggling with high input cost

Myanmar livestock sector is burdened with high input costs, including feedstuff cost and transport charges, the Myanmar Livestock Federation (MLF) stated.
Additionally, they are facing another problem owing to unfair trade practices with illegally imported frozen meat. The depreciation of Kyat on the US dollar is also another contributing factor to a price rise as feedstuff and fuel oil are imported.
The economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 consequences led to the drop in production of layer poultry and broiler chicken this year.
The prices of poultry meat and egg dramatically jumped in July 2021 as the demand grew amid the COVID-19 cases spiking in the country. After the concerted efforts of the stakeholders in the industry to govern the volatile price, the price fell.
At present, the breeders are worried about the price drop. If the price is in the bear market, the breeders will not even cover the production cost, breeders stressed.
Livestock and poultry production in Myanmar has been growing 10-15 per cent annually. Most breeders are using traditional methods and some have shifted to modern methods. Moreover, integrated poultry and fish farming is widely seen in Myanmar.
Furthermore, the local producers are also facing pressure from foreign investors entering the sector. Local poultry breeding is mostly carried out on a small scale by farmers, but now investments from China, Thailand and India have entered the sector. That is why local breeders need to shift to modern breeding methods and increase the production rate to keep up with the foreign investors. — KK/GNLM