Mung bean exports to India is projected at 500,000 tonnes this year, 100,000 tonnes lower than last year, due to lower demand, according to an official from the Myanmar Edible Oil Dealers Association.
India is Myanmar’s biggest importer of beans. This decrease over last year, while a hit to domestic bean producers, is still in line with average exports.
U Sai Ba Nyan, vice chairman of the association, said, “Most of our Mung beans are exported to India. But we can’t keep relying on them. We need to find new markets in line with the National Export Strategy. Moreover, we also need practical support from the government.”
Myanmar has recently been trying to expand its market into Japan and the EU. The Ministry of Commerce earlier said that it is educating bean growers in quality bean growing methods in order to address the quality limitations when exporting to the European market.
U Soe Win Myint, an official at the association, said, “Not only technology but we also need modern agricultural equipment. The government should educate and train farmers on how to increase their productivity using different farming methods.”
In 2014-15, Myanmar exported 500,000 tonnes of Mung beans by sea, earning $400 million. The price of Mung beans is currently K1.1 to 1.2 million per tonne.
