Coffee, husks, skins and substitutes market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

The Myanmar coffee market began a transformation in 2018 with the launch of value-chain development initiatives, including a USAID-funded project and the opening of a specialty-processing facility, which laid the groundwork for improved quality and export potential. By 2019, exports exceeded 5 000 t, supported by Fairtrade certification and national competitions, contributing to a market size reduction to 9 302 t as more coffee was shipped abroad. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily disrupted border trade and lowered export prices, causing a sharp drop in exports and a consequent rise in domestic market volume to 9 974 t.

In 2021, tightened customs valuation rules led to a collapse in roasted decaffeinated coffee imports, while newly secured import-duty exemptions in foreign markets boosted exports, shrinking the market to 9 163 t. The following year, the implementation of mandatory FDA labeling rules for pre-packaged foods coincided with a recovery in global coffee prices, further incentivizing exports and driving the market down to 7 723 t, even as the government-backed acreage expansion plan aimed to increase future production.

By 2023, raised export targets and the launch of a national traceability platform strengthened export channels, while logistics disruptions from the Red Sea blockage constrained imports. A growing domestic preference for instant coffee partially offset these trends, yet the market contracted to 7 063 t. In 2024, a state-driven plantation expansion program and the enforcement of new FDA product-registration requirements continued to shape the market toward export-oriented growth.

Production coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

Myanmar's production of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 8 908 tonnes, showing a slight increase of 1.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%.

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

Exports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Myanmar's exports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes declined. In 2020, exports totaled 668 tonnes, a drop of 36.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 12%, with an average annual decrease of 4.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 048 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 19.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, China, and the United States were the main destinations for Myanmar's coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes exports. Thailand accounted for 23.1% of exports in kind, China for 22.3%, and the United States for 8.5%, together making up 53.9% of the total.

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, K $ US

Myanmar's cross-border shipments of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 2 437 thousand US dollars, down 9.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 20.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 846 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 40.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Myanmar's coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 18.8% of exports, Thailand for 15.2%, and Japan for 12.3%, together representing 46.2% of the total. Many smaller partners held modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Myanmar's imports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes stood at 1 735 tonnes, a moderate increase of 9.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 16.1%, with an average annual rate of 5.1%. The peak was in 2018 at 2 045 tonnes, with the largest decline in 2019 at 22.7% and the largest increase in 2018 at 36.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia was the primary source for Myanmar's imports in kind, making up 83.1% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of partners.

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, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes varied 1.7 times from the low in 2017 to the high in 2018. In 2020, Myanmar imported 1 555 thousand US dollars worth, a reduction of 4.0% from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2018 at 2 314 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 30.0% and the largest increase in 2018 at 73.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China were the leading sources for Myanmar's imports in value terms. Malaysia accounted for 55.6% of imports, Vietnam for 20.2%, and China for 6.5%, together representing 82.3% of total flows.

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

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