Unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Myanmar fluctuated, peaking at 8,764 t in 2020. This rise was driven by increased local demand that kept more coffee within the country, as exports fell temporarily to 301 t. Earlier improvements in quality and market access, supported by the USAID Value Chains for Rural Development project and the launch of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance chapter in 2018, had already boosted export activity, slightly reducing domestic availability in 2019.

From 2021 to 2023, the market volume contracted steadily, reaching 6,843 t by 2023. This decline was primarily due to rapid export growth, which climbed from 537 t in 2021 to 1,698 t in 2023. The export expansion was fueled by growing interest from investors in China, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea, the expansion of Robusta coffee plantations in lowland areas, and the inauguration of a coffee processing plant by the Green Gold Cooperative in 2023, which enhanced product quality and international competitiveness.

In 2024, while full market volume data is not available, the sector continued to evolve with the approval of a new Patent Law in May, which may encourage innovation, and exports maintained their upward trajectory, reflecting sustained foreign demand and ongoing investment in Myanmar's coffee value chain.

Production unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

World map of production of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

Myanmar's production of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 8 908 tonnes, marking a slight increase of 1.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, 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 unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Myanmar's exports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee declined. In 2020, export volume totaled 300.8 tonnes, down by 63.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 47.3%, with an average annual decline of 19.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 812.1 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 36.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand, China, and Malaysia were the main destinations for Myanmar's coffee exports in volume terms. Thailand accounted for 28.1% of exports, China for 24.6%, and Malaysia for 8.3%. Together, these three countries represented 61.0% 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, K $ US

Export values showed significant volatility during this period. The peak was in 2018 at 2 324 thousand US dollars, while the lowest point was in 2017, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 231 thousand US dollars, a drop of 29.8% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 123.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, the United States, and Japan were among the largest buyers of Myanmar's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee in value terms. Thailand accounted for 19.9% of exports, the United States for 14.7%, and Japan for 13.1%. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 47.7% of total export value, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Myanmar's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee reached 156.4 tonnes, an increase of 26.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 15.7%, with an average annual rate of 5.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 123.8 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 173.5 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 28.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 28.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Vietnam dominated Myanmar's coffee imports in volume terms, consistently accounting for 97.7% 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 imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 361 thousand US dollars, showing little change compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 8.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 390 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, with a decrease of 7.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 17.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms was characterized by a strong dominance of Vietnam, which held an 87.7% share of total flows, with other partners accounting for relatively minor shares.

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

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