Myanmar earned over US$691 million from 2.29 million tons of rice and broken rice export within 11 months of 2018-19 FY and about 73 per cent of total rice export is exported through maritime trade, according to Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF).

Myanmar exported 1.792 million tons of rice to 65 countries and earned US$559.894 million. It also exported 498,000 tons of broken rice to 41 countries and earned US$132.139 million.

Myanmar earned US$187.174 million from rice and broken rice export through border trade routes. It earned US$503.859 million from rice and broken rice export through maritime trade routes.Myanmar exported 738,500 tons of rice and 38,000 tons of broken rice to China and neighbouring countries. It is 33.88 per cent of total rice and broken rice export.

Myanmar exported 481,500 tons of rice and broken rice to EU countries and 554,500 tons of rice and broken rice to African countries. It also exported 479,000 tons of rice and broken rice to other countries.

Myanmar is exporting rice to EU and African markets via maritime trade and China through Muse border trade mainly.

Myanmar exported about 3.6 million tons of rice in 2018-19 FY due to new markets and it broke the record over fifty-year time.

The MRF is dealing with the issues caused by the low market price in this year. It said the farmers are facing difficulty to have enough silos, paddy drying system and vehicles to carry rice, according to the MRF.

Moreover, rice sector has declined due to low demand and will not be improved with just the private sector alone, it said.

A total of 11 companies were officially exported rice to China previously and now more than 40 companies are chosen to export rice to China. If the companies’ list is sent to China, the rice export will resume, replied Aung Htoo, Deputy Minister for Commerce to farmers from Danubyu on June 28.