Myanmar exports exceed US$234M in early January amid high fruit demand for Chinese New Year

According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar earned over US$234 million from exports from 30 December to 5 January of the 2023-24 financial year. China’s fruit demand has been rising this week as it approaches the Chinese New Year.
The report indicates that the country significantly exported agricultural produce such as corn, pigeon peas, Chick pea, butter beans, peanuts, sesame, onions, dry ginger, turmeric, watermelon, avocados, oranges, tissue-cultured bananas, and normal bananas within the week.
During this week, 35,000 tonnes of watermelon, muskmelon (cucumber), and bananas were exported to China via the Kengtung, Lweje and Kampaiti border trade posts.
Furthermore, oranges, avocados, and bananas were exported to Thailand via Tachileik and Mawtaung border trade posts. According to the report, more than US$10 million was generated from exporting fruits.
As February approaches, when Myanmar will be granted a tax exemption for corn imports to Thailand, corn transport is expected to increase. Myanmar typically exports up to 2.6 million tonnes of corn seeds. Therefore, corn traders are collaborating with relevant departments to expand corn export markets, including Thailand (the primary purchaser of Myanmar corn) and other countries with potential markets such as the Philippines, China, Singapore, and Viet Nam. Additionally, corn traders will attempt to resume exporting corn to Bangladesh, India, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the UAE markets.
This week, 3,070 tonnes of fishery products were also delivered to 20 countries via shipment and aviation transport. Furthermore, 7,780 tonnes were transported to China, Thailand, and other neighbouring countries via land borders. Therefore, a total of 10,850 tonnes of aquatic products were exported.
Fish exports involved domestically farmed fishes such as Labeo rohita, river catfish, Cirrhinus mrigala, Tilapia, Barbus, and Catla buchanani.
Myanmar has been expanding fish farming businesses as the country promotes the export of fish, prawns, and other aquatic products. Panamei shrimp produced in Myeik Archipelago, Taninthayi Region, has been increasingly exported to Chinese and Japanese markets. Also, river catfish from Pantanaw Township, is projected to be exported within this financial year. — MNA/TMT