Browse Data and Analysis

Post forecasts Burmese rice exports lower in June due to reduced supplies in the domestic market and higher domestic prices. The Burmese government continues making changes to its trade and foreign exchange rate policies that are impeding trade.

Burma’s aquaculture production and export in MY 2021/22 will remain flat as COVID-19 restrictions and the military coup continue to dampen the economy. Post anticipates lower U.S. soybean meal (SBM) and distiller’s dried grain with solubles (DDGS) exports to Burma in MY 2021/22 in line with slower aquaculture development and changes in foreign currency controls.

Post forecast Burmese rice exports lower in May due to slow business activities along with changing trade and exchange rate policies and high domestic prices. Domestic prices for Emata increased in May due to high transportation costs and a smaller domestic supply as exporters fulfilled advanced sale contracts. Domestic prices for Shwe Bo Pawsan remained unchanged.

The Burmese government requires importers to have an import license before product leaves the exporting country.

Post forecast Burmese rice exports flat in April due to slow business activities during the long Burmese New Year Holiday, trade inhibiting foreign currency regulations, and high domestic prices.

FAS Rangoon (Post) forecasts Burma’s rice and corn exports larger in MY 2022/23 due to strong demand from African, EU, and ASEAN countries. Post forecasts Burma’s wheat imports down in MY 2022/23 due to low domestic demand, restrictions on buying of foreign currency, and changing import policies.

Post forecasts smaller Burmese rice exports in March due to a smaller supply; however, Burmese rice exports will remain strong due to high world prices and anticipated strong demand from African and EU countries, China, and the Philippines.

The Burmese Government published new labeling requirements for prepackage food on January 20, 2022. An unofficial translation of the original order is attached to this report.

Post forecasts that Burmese rice exports will continue to rise in February in anticipation of regular demand from China through official channels, increased broken rice demand from EU countries, continued demand from regional countries, and a rebound in demand form African countries.

Post forecasts higher Burmese rice exports in January in anticipation of regular demand from China through official channels, increased broken rice demand from EU countries, and continued demand from the Philippines.

Since Burma initiated a series of political and economic reforms in 2011, U.S. agricultural exports have grown over 80-fold, reaching a record $174 million in 2019 and $167 million in 2020 despite the COVID-19 situation.

Post forecasts higher Burmese rice exports in December. This forecast anticipates active demand from Africa, China, and EU countries during the new crop harvest and the reopening of Burma-China border gates.