Soybean oilcake market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

The market for soybean oilcake in Myanmar more than doubled between 2018 and 2023, reaching 517 thousand tons. This expansion occurred despite a steady decline in domestic production, which fell from 141 thousand tons to 100 thousand tons over the same period.

The drop in local output was primarily due to government restrictions on importing oil crop seeds, including soybeans, which limited raw material availability for processors. At the same time, imports of soybean oilcake surged, rising from 94 thousand tons to 416 thousand tons, with notable increases from U.S. suppliers exceeding 30% in 2020 and 2023.

Market structure shifted toward greater import dependence and consolidation, with key players like Wilmar International Ltd. dominating the edible oils sector. Additionally, falling demand for groundnut oil reduced operations at small-scale oil mills, further tilting the balance toward imported soybean oilcake for feed use.

Production soybean oilcake in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of soybean oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybean oilcake, 2017-2020

Myanmar's soybean oilcake production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 109.5 K t of soybean oilcake, marking a 4.8% decrease from 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 141.0 K t, with a modest 3.1% increase that year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 18.4%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, production dropped by 20%, averaging an annual decline of 7.2%.

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

Exports soybean oilcake from Myanmar

Exports in kind, K t

Myanmar's soybean oilcake exports remained negligible in 2019 at 0.0 K t, showing little change from the previous year. Looking back to 2018, exports were also minimal. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, exports surged by 219.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 47.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Vietnam were the primary destinations for Myanmar's soybean oilcake exports in kind. India accounted for 76.2% of total flows, while Vietnam made up 23.8%, together representing 100.0% of exports.

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

In 2019, Myanmar's soybean oilcake export value stood at 6 K $ US, staying nearly unchanged from the year before. Between 2017 and 2019, exports in value terms fell by 48.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 19.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, Vietnam and India dominated Myanmar's soybean oilcake exports in value terms, with their combined share reaching 100.0% 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 soybean oilcake to Myanmar

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for soybean oilcake in Myanmar showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 93.6 K t, with a 25.3% decline that year. They then rebounded sharply, reaching a peak of 227.4 K t in 2020, a 38.8% increase from 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when imports rose by 75.1%. Overall, from 2018 to 2020, imports varied by a factor of 2.4.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Brazil, and India were the main sources for Myanmar's soybean oilcake imports in kind. The United States contributed 34.5% of imports, Brazil 24.2%, and India 16.9%, together accounting for 75.6% 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

Myanmar's soybean oilcake import value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 38 897 K $ US, up 43.2% from the prior year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 38 897 K $ US, with a 16.6% decline that year. The largest increase happened in 2019, when import value jumped by 66.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 98.4%, averaging an annual increase of 25.7%.

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

Over 2017–2020, the United States, Brazil, and India consistently led in Myanmar's soybean oilcake imports in value terms. The United States held a 34.3% share, Brazil 25.3%, and India 14.4%, jointly making up 73.9% 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