Myanmar is stepping up the agriculture and livestock sector as it plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy. Myanmar has conveyed 6,132.4 metric tons of fishery products to Bangladesh between 1 April and 26 August in the current financial year 2022-2023, with estimated earnings of US$7.785 million.
Myanmar delivered 362.97 MT of fishery products worth $ 23.387 million via two border posts (Sittway and Maungtaw) in the previous mini-budget period. As of 26 August, Myanmar exported 823.4 MT of fishery products valued at $1.18 million via the Sittway border and $6.605 million worth of 5,309 MT of fishery products via Maungtaw. The fishery exports to Bangladesh accumulated $7.785 million in nearly five months.
Among the fishery products from Bago, Yangon and Ayeyawady regions and Rakhine State, rohu is the main export item to Bangladesh. Anchovy and other dried fish are also exported.
Rohu is transported by ship from Yangon to Sittway, Rakhine State. In road transport, 100-150 trucks flow into the border area per month. The export volume in five months is estimated to be over 6,000 tonnes.
In the previous mini-budget, the monthly export volume was 1,500-1,700 tonnes. The volume slightly decreased to 1,200 tonnes this FY.
Some entrepreneurs commenced farming freshwater rohu under the support of the Department of Fisheries in Rakhine State in the first half of this year to cut transport costs and maintain export quality. They expect to export the farmed rohu in Rakhine State to the neighbouring country in 2023.
“Rohu larvae are added this year and they can be harvested next year. Freshwater rohu farming will increase the income of the farmers as a local product. Rakhine State government put into vigorous action to boost exports of Rakhine State and bring about the economic benefits of the state,” said U Thet Oo, head of the Rakhine State Fisheries Department.
Normally, Myanmar’s exports surpass imports in the cross-border trade with Bangladesh, which is also an important market for freshwater fish farmers. The border post with Bangladesh is expected to become a fishery hub in future, generating revenue for the State. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/GNLM
