Myanmar ships nearly 1.8 mln tonnes of corn abroad markets in 9 months

Myanmar conveyed about 1.8 million tonnes of corn to external markets between 1 October and 15 June in nine months, said U Min Khaing, chair of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association.
At present, Myanmar exports corn to Thailand and China via border posts, while the corn is delivered to the Philippines, India and Viet Nam.
In the 2021-2022 corn season (October-September), Myanmar targets to export about 2 million tonnes of corn to external markets, said U Min Khaing.
The price is relatively down in domestic markets as Myanmar’s corn price is heavily relying on Thailand. The prices of corn stand at K1,030-1,050 per viss depending on quality.
Additionally, corn crops will soon be harvested in Thailand in the coming months. Nevertheless, we cannot say for sure that the price will remain downward or not, U Min Khaing added.
Thailand gives green light to corn imports under zero tariff (with Form-D), between 1 February and 31 August. However, Thailand imposed a maximum tax rate of 73 per cent on corn imports to protect the rights of their growers if the corn is imported during the corn season of Thailand.
Therefore, only two months (July and August) are left for corn exports under Form D exemption.
Myanmar exported 2.3 million tonnes of corn to foreign trade partners in the 2020-2021 corn season (October-September). Of them, 1.7 million tonnes of corn was sent to Thailand.
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 produces 2.5-3 million tonnes of corn every year. — NN/GNLM