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Burma’s aquaculture production and export in MY 2021/22 will remain flat as COVID-19 restrictions and the military coup continue to dampen the economy. Post anticipates lower U.S. soybean meal (SBM) and distiller’s dried grain with solubles (DDGS) exports to Burma in MY 2021/22 in line with slower aquaculture development and changes in foreign currency controls.

Post forecast Burmese rice exports lower in May due to slow business activities along with changing trade and exchange rate policies and high domestic prices. Domestic prices for Emata increased in May due to high transportation costs and a smaller domestic supply as exporters fulfilled advanced sale contracts. Domestic prices for Shwe Bo Pawsan remained unchanged.

In MY2021/22, Post projects that table grape production will increase by 15.2 percent, totaling 760,000 MT and exports will increase by 14.2 percent, totaling 600,000 metric tons. For MY2021/22, Post estimates apple production at 1,036,000 MT a 4.8 percent decrease from MY2020/21 on lower planted area.

The Burmese government requires importers to have an import license before product leaves the exporting country.

Post forecasts increases in wheat and corn production for the 2022/23 marketing year.

Post forecast Burmese rice exports flat in April due to slow business activities during the long Burmese New Year Holiday, trade inhibiting foreign currency regulations, and high domestic prices.

Chile remains the largest South American consumer-oriented market for U.S. exporters. Increasing wealth, lower barriers to entry, and the modern Chilean economy present opportunities for increased agricultural trade as COVID-19 restrictions and social-political tensions ease.

FAS Rangoon (Post) forecasts Burma’s rice and corn exports larger in MY 2022/23 due to strong demand from African, EU, and ASEAN countries. Post forecasts Burma’s wheat imports down in MY 2022/23 due to low domestic demand, restrictions on buying of foreign currency, and changing import policies.

Post forecasts smaller Burmese rice exports in March due to a smaller supply; however, Burmese rice exports will remain strong due to high world prices and anticipated strong demand from African and EU countries, China, and the Philippines.

Chile is an open economy with a developed and competitive food industry. Just over half of Chilean food production lands in the domestic market, while 46 percent is exported. Food manufacturers leverage the country’s multiple trade agreements to export Chilean-manufactured processed products to the world.

The Burmese Government published new labeling requirements for prepackage food on January 20, 2022. An unofficial translation of the original order is attached to this report.

On February 22, 2022, the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture's Livestock and Agricultural Service modified the testing requirement for U.S. beer shipments to Chile. Beer from the United States will no longer need to be tested upon arrival to Chile.