Potato market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

In 2019, the potato market volume in Myanmar jumped to 487 thousand tons, a significant increase from 393 thousand tons the previous year. This surge was driven by a sharp drop in exports, which fell from 96 thousand tons to just 0.5 thousand tons. The export collapse was linked to competition from smuggled Chinese potatoes that flooded the local market, making overseas sales less profitable for farmers in Shan State.

After 2019, domestic potato production steadily declined, pulling the market volume down each year. In 2020, heavy rainfall damaged crops in the main growing region of Southern Shan State, reducing yields. Climate change and extreme weather events, including floods, continued to threaten harvests in subsequent years, while the planted area for potatoes also shrank.

Concurrently, the regulatory landscape for packaged potatoes became stricter. In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration issued the Labeling Order for Pre-packaged Foods, requiring clear labeling in Myanmar language. By 2024, the Food Product Notification system took effect, mandating registration and a product code on labels to enhance food safety and traceability.

Production potato in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Myanmar has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 468.1 thousand tons of potatoes, which represents a 3.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.2%.

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

Exports potato from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. From 2017 to 2018, exports experienced extreme fluctuations, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 292 times. In 2020, Myanmar's potato exports totaled 519 tons, marking a 0.9% drop from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 96 139 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 99.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with growth of 29 149.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar's potato exports were primarily shipped to Thailand, which accounted for 99.6% of total exports in volume.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Myanmar exported potatoes worth 291.2 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 39.7% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 900.4 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 46.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with growth of 261.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand almost entirely determined the geographical structure of Myanmar's potato exports in value terms, holding a share of 94.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 6.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Myanmar imported a total of 219 tons of potatoes, reflecting a sharp year-over-year fall of 84.9%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 455 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with growth of 342.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core sources for Myanmar's potato imports in volume were China (27.7% of imports), Thailand (25.4% of imports), and the Netherlands (19.6% of imports), together accounting for 72.6% of total 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, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Myanmar's potato imports stood at 144.6 thousand US dollars, down by 78.6% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 674.2 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with growth of 177.1%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the biggest contributors to Myanmar's potato imports in value terms were Thailand (31.9% of imports), the Netherlands (24.4% of imports), and China (15.1% of imports), jointly accounting for 71.4% 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