Overview

The agriculture sector is one of the most important sectors of the country’s economy, and agricultural goods are Burma’s second-largest export commodity.  The sector normally contributes nearly one-third of the country’s GDP and employs more than half of the workforce.  A total of 12.8 million hectares out of 67.6 million hectares of land in Burma are cultivated.  Rice is the country’s primary agricultural product, which accounts for nearly half of the total agricultural production value. Since the February 2021 coup, agricultural output and trade have declined due to the regime’s controls on exports, imports, and foreign exchange.  Armed conflict has affected numerous rural areas involved in agriculture.

According to a recent USDA report, Burma’s rice exports, corn exports, and wheat imports are smaller in the marketing year (MY) 2023/24 compared to the previous MY. Exporters and importers continue to face uncertainties with changing policies on export/import procedures and strict foreign currency controls.  The cost of agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers, chemicals, fuel, and seeds, has increased recently, partly due to the depreciation of the Burma kyat.  

Burma’s agricultural exports include rice, maize, beans, pulses, sesame, onion, tamarind, raw rubber, mangos, melons, onions, chilies, and others.  Burma’s major import items in the agricultural sector are power tillers, hand tractors, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, weedicides, dumpers, loaders and spare parts, water pumps, hydraulic excavators, and gearbox assemblies for hand tractors, rod and mild steel, and hybrid and quality seeds.  

Leading Sub-Sector

Agricultural Machinery and Equipment:  Burma’s agriculture equipment market relies on imports, and there is market potential for U.S. manufacturers. Agricultural and farm machinery, including power tillers, walking tractors, water pumps, sprinklers, drip irrigation sets, transplanters, threshers, seeders, weeders, dryers, and farm storage facilities, are all in demand.  

Opportunities

Other sub-sectors with good prospects for business opportunities are seeds and chemicals, organic fertilizers, plant root exudates, advanced irrigation systems, value-added production and processing, packaging, warehouses, cold storage facilities, and service support for supply chain and contracting services.

Mandalay, the second largest commercial hub in Burma, shows significant demand for agricultural equipment, including tractors, creating prospects for vendors of American equipment. The market is currently dominated by Indian and Chinese manufacturers.

U.S. companies are advised to conduct proper due diligence checks on local partners. The U.S. Commercial Service Office offers customized services that help U.S. businesses find reputable local business partners.   

Other resources:  

OFAC Recent Actions | U.S. Department of the Treasury  

Burma: Grain and Feed Annual  

BISExportControl  
Business Advisory for Burma

Contact Information  
U.S. Commercial Service  
U.S. Embassy, Burma  
Email: Office.Burma@trade.gov