Asia > South-Eastern Asia > Myanmar > Myanmar Agriculture Profile

Myanmar: Myanmar Agriculture Profile

2015/02/18

myanmar-agriculture

The 2014 rice production is forecast at a good level

Harvesting of the 2014 main (wet) season rice crop, which accounts for about 80 percent of annual production, is expected to start at the beginning of October and continue into December. FAO forecasts the aggregate 2014 rice production at 29.5 million tonnes, 3 percent up from last year but still remains slightly below the five-year average. The increase is mainly attributed to a small expansion in planted area from last year’s low level.

FAO’s latest estimates puts the 2014 maize production, harvested by mid-April, at a record level of 1.8 million tonnes, 3 percent up from the 2013 bumper crop. This reflects a slight expansion in planted area, in response to higher demand from the domestic feed industry and from neighbouring China, as well as higher yields, following favourable rainfall and adequate input supply during the growing season.

Cereal exports forecast to increase in the 2014/15 marketing year (July/June)

Cereal exports for the 2014/15 marketing year (July/June) are forecast at 1.3 million tonnes (comprising about 700 000 tonnes of rice and about 610 000 tonnes of maize), 5 percent up from last year’s high level. Total cereal imports (mainly wheat crop) for 2014/15 are projected at 325 000 tonnes, some 3 percent above the 2013/14 level, due to higher domestic wheat consumption.

Prices of rice softened somewhat in August and were close to their levels of a year earlier

The wholesale prices of Emata rice, the most commonly consumed variety, softened somewhat in August after the steady increases in previous months due to sustained demand from China. Overall, prices were close to their levels of a year earlier.

Food insecurity remains a concern in some areas

Overall, the food security situation has improved. However, recurrent inter-communal tensions since June 2012 have negatively impacted the food security situation of the affected population. According to the latest UNHCR estimates, nearly half a million people remain displaced in Rakhine (southwest), Kachin (north), Shan (east) and southeast of Myanmar. Generally, high food prices are further affecting the food security situation of vulnerable groups of the population.

FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
The 2014 rice production is forecast at a good level
Cereal exports forecast to increase in the 2014/15 marketing year (July/June)
Prices of rice softened somewhat in August and were close to their levels of a year earlier
Food insecurity remains a concern in some areas
 

  The 2014 rice production is forecast at a good level  The 2014 rice production is forecast at a good level