Rapid Market Assessment of Aquaculture Sector in Myanmar

The sector is dominated by small-scale farmers, with over 90% of the total production coming from small-scale aquaculture farms. The main aquaculture sub-sectors in Myanmar are fish, shrimp, and crab, with fish being the most dominant. The sector has experienced significant growth in recent years, with a 10% increase in production between 2018 and 2019. The growth is driven by increasing demand for seafood, both domestically and internationally. The main export markets for Myanmar's aquaculture products are China, Japan, and the European Union. The domestic market is also growing, with increasing demand for aquaculture products in hotels, restaurants, and cafes. The aquaculture value chain in Myanmar is complex, with multiple players involved in the production, processing, and export of aquaculture products. The key value chain players include feed suppliers, producers, processors and cold storages/exporters, and off-takers. The sector faces several challenges, including access to markets, access to finance and investment, access to production technologies and skills, and a business-enabling environment. The rapid market assessment identified several opportunities for growth in the aquaculture sector, including the development of new markets, the expansion of existing markets, and the improvement of production technologies and skills. The assessment also identified several constraints to growth, including the lack of compliance with international market requirements, the lack of product diversification for targeted markets, and the lack of quality control and food safety protocols. The assessment recommends several priority areas for intervention, including facilitating foreign investment in promising businesses, facilitating access to finance, increasing compliance with market requirements, supporting linkages with buyers, and supporting the establishment of de-risking mechanisms. The assessment also recommends supporting private sector advocacy, improving access to technologies, increasing economic opportunities in non-urban areas, and supporting innovation and product development. The aquaculture sector in Myanmar has the potential to contribute significantly to the country's economic growth and development. However, the sector faces several challenges that need to be addressed in order to realize its full potential. The rapid market assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of the sector's dynamics, growth opportunities, and constraints, and recommends several priority areas for intervention to support the sector's growth and development. The Myanmar aquaculture sector is characterized by a high level of fragmentation, with many small-scale farmers operating in the sector. The sector is also highly dependent on imports, with over 70% of the feed used in aquaculture production being imported. The sector faces several challenges, including the lack of access to finance and investment, the lack of access to production technologies and skills, and the lack of a business-enabling environment.