CNI News

November 20, 2024

Indonesia becomes the country that imports the Myanmar rice most, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation. 

Although Myanmar rice was exported to Europe and China most before, Indonesia has become the most importer of Myanmar rice since 2022.

There has been in high demand for rice in Indonesia because it is highly populated and to hold elections. 

Although Indonesia bought broken rice from Myanmar in the past, it is buying Myanmar rice as well now, chairman of the MRF U Ye Min Aung told CNI News.

" We are always exporting rice to European countries an China as well as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Indonesia has bought Myanmar rice more since 2023. There are so many people living in Indonesia and elections will be held soon. So, its import of rice has increased. About four or five years ago, it imported few Myanmar rice. It bought only broken rice from Myanmar. Now it has been buying both rice and broken rice from Myanmar about four million tons within three years from 2022 to 2024. Indonesia import rice or broken rice from Thailand and Vietnam as well as India and Pakistan." he said.

Indonesia has imported over 360,000 tons of Myanmar rice in the 2024-2025 fiscal year during the first 7 months and overtook China that bought Myanmar rice most in the past. 

In the current fiscal year, China is second most buyer of Myanmar rice by importing 276,400 tons, and Belgium, third most by importing 219,400 tons and the Philippines has bought 147, 700 tons of Myanmar rice, according to the MRF.

Although China was the country that imported Myanmar rice most when the border trade gates were opened, at present China has closed down its border trade gates with Myanmar. 

So, Indonesia became the most importer of Myanmar rice, an official from the MRF told CNI News.

" When the border trade gates were opened, a lot of Myanmar rice were exported to China by road and by sea. China imported Myanmar rice most. But now border trade posts have been closed. As Indonesia is not far from Myanmar, Myanmar rice is exported there most." he said.

During the first seven months of the current fiscal year, Myanmar has exported 1.46 tons of rice and broken rice for 647 US dollars, according to the MRF. 

The MRF has intended to export 2.5 million tons of rice.