Myanmar cattle export to Bangladesh blocked amid security concerns

Myanmar’s cattle export to Bangladesh cannot be done despite its offer, said U Soe Naing, chair of the Mandalay Region Cattle Exporters Association.
Cattle have to be exported via Maungtaw and Sittway in Rakhine State through sea trade. We have a transport challenge to pass Rakhine State in our export channel, he continued.
“Although Bangladesh proposes to buy the cattle to meet their requirements, exports to Bangladesh via Rakhine State is not yet possible. There is no guarantee to ship the cattle safely on our side,” U Soe Naing elaborated.
Only when the authorities concerned give protection from any risk will the cattle export be possible, he added.
Myanmar’s live cattle exports to China have been suspended in the official trade channel since late 2020. Yet, the black market is booming in border markets, according to the Mandalay Region Cattle Exporters Association.
Live cattle export was allowed in late 2017, with a view to eradicating illegal exports, creating more opportunities for cattle formers and promoting their interests.
According to the 2018 cattle census, there are 11.5 million heads of cattle in the country, with 1.8 million buffalo and 9.7 million cows and bulls, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation.
Additionally, about 1.1 million cattle are mature enough to be placed on the market per year. About 400,000 cattle are required for local consumption, while the remaining are sent to export markets.
Myanmar shipped US$360 million worth of animal products including cattle to the external markets in the financial year 2018-2019. The value of animal product exports dropped by $100 million in the 2019-2020FY as against the previous FY, following the negative impacts of the COVID-19. — NN/GNLM