Broken rice market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

The market for broken rice in Myanmar was at 6.3 million tons in 2018, supported by seasonal loans from the Myanmar Agricultural Development Bank and government policies setting minimum farm gate prices. In 2019, the cancellation of exchange rate exemptions for export earnings negatively affected border trade revenues, coinciding with a market decrease to 5.9 million tons. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted milling operations and led consumers to shift to cheaper rice varieties, causing a sharp drop in market volume to 2.2 million tons.

Political instability and economic collapse following the military coup in 2021 increased production costs and disrupted transport, reducing the market to 2.1 million tons. The regime's intervention in 2022, including price controls, detentions of rice merchants, and export license suspensions, combined with electricity shortages and conflict, further suppressed volume to 2.0 million tons. A partial recovery occurred in 2023 as the Myanmar Rice Federation launched a loan program for 100,000 farmers and currency devaluation raised domestic prices, lifting the market to 2.3 million tons.

Production broken rice in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar was the world's leading producer of broken rice by volume.

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

Myanmar's broken rice production fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2,940 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp 55.4% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 56.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 24.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018, with no change from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Myanmar in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Myanmar's broken rice production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1,011 million US dollars, reflecting a significant 42.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 48.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.9%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 2,093 million US dollars, which represented a 6.3% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Myanmar in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports broken rice from Myanmar

Exports in kind, K t

Broken rice exports from Myanmar rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 781.9 thousand tonnes, up 7.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 445.0 thousand tonnes, a 35.1% decline from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 63.5% jump.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Myanmar in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, China, and Indonesia were the top destinations for Myanmar's broken rice exports by volume. Belgium accounted for 35.2% of exports, China for 14.4%, and Indonesia for 10.9%. Together, these three countries made up 60.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Myanmar in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Broken rice exports from Myanmar increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 268.9 million US dollars, a 39.7% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 33.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 139.0 million US dollars, a 31.0% decline. The largest increase was in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Myanmar in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, China, and Indonesia contributed the most to Myanmar's broken rice exports by value. Belgium represented 30.9% of exports, China 23.4%, and Indonesia 9.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 64.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Myanmar in value, 2017-2020

Imports broken rice to Myanmar

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest in 2020, with a 3.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Myanmar imported 0.6 thousand tonnes of broken rice, a 70.3% decrease year-over-year. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 2.0 thousand tonnes, which saw a 48.1% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Myanmar in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for broken rice imports to Myanmar by volume were China, Thailand, and Germany. China accounted for 40.8% of imports, Thailand for 20.1%, and Germany for 12.4%. Together, these three countries represented 73.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Myanmar in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. Import values fluctuated significantly, with a 4-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Myanmar imported 0.3 million US dollars worth of broken rice, a steep 74.8% contraction year-over-year. The peak value was in 2019 at 1.1 million US dollars, which marked a 35.0% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Myanmar in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Vietnam, and China were the largest suppliers of broken rice to Myanmar by value. Thailand contributed 30.2% of imports, Vietnam 20.6%, and China 20.5%. Combined, these three countries formed 71.2% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Myanmar in value, 2017-2020