Maize Export Doubles to 350,000 Tonnes

The export earnings from maize has reached $129 million in the current 2013-14 fiscal year up to October, more than double compared with the same period last year, according to figures from the Ministry of Commerce.
During April to October, 350,000 tonnes of maize were exported, while the export amount was 170,000 tonnes in the same period in 2012-13, fetching $55 million.
The majority of Myanmar’s maize is exported to China and Thailand.
“Chinese traders often travel to Mandalay to directly purchase corn without choosing a variety of maize,” said U Myo Aung, a maize entrepreneur.
“We often export without grain to Thailand and the price varies between K500 and K600 (52 to 62 cents) per viss [1 viss = 1.65 kilograms],” he added.
The price of corn has increased recently due to high demand of the crop in the market. However, production costs have also increased in the meantime, leaving businesspeople with many challenges in the market, said one maize trader.
Myanmar has around 845,ooo acres of maize or corn plantations, the majority of which are in Shan state, and Sagaing and Mandalay regions, according to the Agricultural Planning Department.
Myanmar is the world’s 12th largest maize exporter, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).