Myanmar’s fish export market faces challenges in Taninthayi Region as domestic demand slows

Due to a sluggish domestic market, fish and aquatic product businesses in Myanmar have to export their goods to Thailand, creating a buyer’s market there. This situation has caused increasing difficulties for business owners year after year, according to the industry sources.
Although it is currently fishing season in Myanmar’s waters, the costs of operation outweigh the earnings, putting fishing businesses in a difficult position.
“Thailand’s fish market favours buyers, and our country has lenient legal measures. Thailand is aware of this. Prawns with an A Grade used to fetch $30 per kilogramme, but prices have now fallen in the Thai market. At present, Thailand enjoys benefits while Myanmar’s fishing firms face reduced profits,” said Daw Htay Htay Win, Managing Director of the Myanmar International Fish Auction Market in Myeik.
The fish auction market in Myeik, Taninthayi Region, has not been promoted by successive administrations, allowing Thailand to dominate the market for many years.
“We earn 2,000 Baht per barrel (approximately K200,000). Selling 240 barrels would bring in K50 million, but it costs K100 million to operate a fishing vessel. With Thailand’s booming fish market, we have no choice but to sell there. If we refuse and bring the fish back, we won’t cover labour and vessel costs, risking jobs and rendering fishing vessels useless. We do this with little hope of revenue,” explained a fishing vessel owner from Myeik.
For three decades, a significant fish market has emerged in Ranong, Thailand, primarily dealing with fish from Myanmar.
“If local businesspersons establish a fish market in unison, it will emerge,” she remarked.
The international fish auction market in Myeiktaung Village-tract, Myeik Township, Taninthayi Region, was established with $70 million in capital from the government and both domestic and international investors. Developed 20 years ago, a modernized fish market at this location could bring many benefits to local businesses and the fishing industry, including creating a market with independent equilibrium, saving time and costs, generating more job opportunities, and curbing illegal trade.
Myanmar’s waters, including those off Rakhine, Ayeyawady, Yangon, Mon, and Taninthayi, have many fishing plots. In Taninthayi alone, there are approximately 1,500 offshore fishing trawlers. — Myint Oo (Myeik)/ TMT