MYANMAR (10 February)
Harvesting of the 2003 main monsoon rice crop and planting of the dry season irrigated crop have been completed. The 2003 paddy output was the highest of the past ten years at 24.64 million tonnes, some 8.2 percent above the level of previous year and 19.4 percent higher than the average of the previous five years as a result of marketing reforms in the rice sector. The Government made a decision in April to halt its involvement in the rice trade and marketing systems. Wheat and maize outputs produced in 2003 are estimated at 100 000 tonnes and 750 000 tonnes, respectively.
As a result of steady increases in paddy production in the past few years, the country has re-entered the world market as a rice exporter.
Since 1 January 2004, rice exports have been banned, for six months, in an effort to lower prices. The ban marks the Government’s re-entry into the rice market.