Although the coming into and going out of the border areas are restricted because of the pandemic, corn powders are still exported to Thailand through Myawady trade zone, according to the Myanmar Corn Traders. Although Thailand has set a time limitation and export volume for import of corn, there is no restriction imposed on corn powder. Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certificate has not been requested yet for export of corn powder to Thailand. Still, export requires attaching of a Phytosanitary certificate and the country of origin (CO) form. Similarly, these certificates must be produced in the export of maize. Myawady trade zone also scrutinizes and issues the Form-D to enable export of corn and corn powder.
Myanmar traders are exporting corn and corn powders to Mae Sot, Thailand, through Myawady border trade zone. Thailand traders refine the imported corn powder to re-export to Malaysia, China and Laos. The price of grained corn (FOB) exported to Thailand through Myawady border trade zone is sold for 7 or 8 baht per kilo while the corn powder is sold for US$220 per tonne. According to the corn traders, the prevailing price of grain corn in Myawady market is 8.5 or 9 baht per kilogramme. The high-quality FOB corns are sold for 8 or 10 baht per kilogramme (K480 or K485 per viss). Only maize with moisture content below 14.5 and 15) sells well in the trade market, the corn traders said Myanmar could export the corn to Thailand by attaching Form-D between 1 February and 31 August.
After that time, Thailand will impose 73 per cent of tax on corn import as per the notification submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Myanmar exported 2.2 million tonnes of corn to the foreign market in the past FY 2019-2020, with an estimated value of $ 360 million, the Ministry of Commerce’s data showed. Corn is cultivated in Shan State, Myingyan and Taungtha, Sagaing region and other regions along the Ayeyawady River.
The highest quality corns that are demanded from Thailand are produced from the areas along the Ayeyawady River. Myanmar has three corn seasons — winter, summer and monsoon. The country yearly produces 2.5-3 million tonnes of corn. Myanmar primarily exports corn to Thailand and China market. They are also shipped to Malaysia and Laos.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar