New policy changes unlikely to affect corn exports

The new policy on corn export will not have a huge impact on corn exports, said U Min Khaing, chair of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association said.
Those items including maize, starch, popcorn, seed, maize corn flour, cereal grains, millets, cereal groats, meal and pellets, buckwheat and canary seeds have been notified to seek export licence starting from 1 April 2022, according to a notification released by the Ministry of Commerce on 9 March 2022.
“The policy changes will not adversely influence the exports. One more procedure is added for the exporters. Earlier, the corns were exempt from the export licence. They can proceed with Form-D. It might cause some delay if some are not used to that procedure,” U Min Khaing elaborated.
That action aims to ensure food security and national security and measure environmental impacts. Therefore, traders have to seek export licences whatever trade routes (maritime, border or air) they use starting from 1 April, in line with the export rules and regulations.
At present, the corn FOB price stands at US$320-340 per tonne while the corns fetch approximately K1,020-1,040 per viss depending on the corn quality in the Yangon market, according to Yangon Region Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Bayintnaung).
Myanmar exported 2.3 million tonnes of corns to foreign trade partners in the previous 2020-2021 financial year. The majority of them were sent to Thailand and the remaining went to China, India and Viet Nam.
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 yearly produces 2.5-3 million tonnes of corn. — NN/GNLM