CNI News
30 November 2024
Corn cultivation acres have decreased by half this year because the price of corn fell last year and there were no stabilities in some regions growing corn, according to the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association.
Because the price of corn fell to 1,000 kyats per viss last year, some farmers made losses. Moreover, corn cultivation decreased by about 60 percent in northern Shan due to the armed conflicts while 50 percent decreased in Ayeyarwady Region reportedly.
Because pulses were grown in place of corn, corn cultivation decreased by half in the whole country, a corn trader from Ayeyarwady Region told CNI News.
" Corn cultivation acres have decreased. Pulses have been grown instead because corn farmers were worried last year the price of corn fell when they sold. In comparison with the cost including inputs this year, if the price of corn will decrease, they won't make a profit. farmers in Ayeyarwady reduced corn cultivation by half. The corn cultivation has decreased by half in the whole country." he said.
There are about 400,000 acres of winter corn cultivation in Myanmar and it is grown in Shan State, western Bago Region, Naypyidaw, Mandalay Region, Magway Region and Kachin State.
At present, the price of corn has been more than expected at 1,500 kyats per viss.
While seeing a corn plantation
So, farmers can make a profit at this price. However, whether the price of corn was profitable or not depended on the transportation, Ko Min Khine, a corn trader, told CNI News.
" The yield of corn increased a lot last year. When the demand and the supply are not balanced, farmers can face losses. This year, the yield will decrease and the demand will be high. Farmers can make a profit. But it can't be surely estimated. It's related to transportation as well. But as the current price is 1,500 kyats per viss, farmers can make a profit by half." he said.
As the period when the corn can be exported to Thailand with tax exemption will start from 1st February 2025, Myanmar corn traders are making preparations.
Myanmar corn is mainly being exported to Thailand and plans are being made to export corn to Thailand through the Tachileik border trade and the Myawaddy border trade if it is opened.
Moreover, plans have been made to export from the Yangon Port through Kawthaung-Ranong to Thailand by sea.
Corn cultivation is second biggest after paddy and in comparison with export earnings from rice and pulses, it is the third biggest.
At present, each year local production of corn is about 3.2 million metric tons and about 2.2 million are exported.
