Till August of this fiscal year, the marine export earnings hit 667.007 million US dollars, up 15.788 million US dollars compared with the same period last year, according to Myanmar Fishery Federation.

From October to August of 2017-2018 FY, the marine sector earned 651.219 million US dollars from exports of 536,396.055 tons. During this FY, the marine exports amounted to 544,533.187 tons.

Win Kyaing, General Secretary of Myanmar Fishery Federation said: “This year, the marine exports may or may not exceed last year’s figures. Due to the delay and ban on Chinese trade route, the marine exports may decline. These months, the exports of marine fishes will not increase due to no-fishing season.”

Merchants are allowed to export fishes and prawns collected through the natural fishing system, to China. China has tightened the food safety rules for the imports of cultured fishes and prawns this year. Local merchants find it difficult to export some types of cultured fishes and prawns as they have not contacted the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC).

Last fiscal year, the marine export earnings reached 720 million US dollars, a record high in a decade.

The marine export earnings hit 482 million US dollars in 2014-15 FY, 502 million US dollars in 2015-16 FY, 652 million US dollars in 2016-17 FY and over 680 million US dollars till March 18 of 2017-18 FY.

Currently, Myanmar exports marine products to more than 40 countries such as Thailand, China, Saudi Arabia and Japan. Myanmar exports more than 20 kinds of fishes.