Burma Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in burma, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Agriculture
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Overview

The agriculture sector is one of the most important for Burma’s economy, and agricultural goods are Burma’s second-largest export commodity, after natural gas. The agricultural 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 of Burma’s 67.6 million total are cultivated. Rice is the country’s primary agricultural product, which accounts for nearly half of the total agricultural production value. Since the 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 and related business sectors.

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.

Some local enterprises are exploring the feasibility of establishing domestic organic fertilizer production and seeking joint ventures and turn-key contracting opportunities with U.S. companies.  

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 manufacturers from India and China.

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.  

Resources:  
Burma Grain and Feed Annual Report
Contact Information  
U.S. Commercial Service  
U.S. Embassy, Burma  
Email: Office.Burma@trade.gov 
 

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