Approximately 500 tons of speciality quality Arabica coffee produced in Pyin Oo Lwin (May Myo), Mandalay Region, were exported to the eight foreign countries this year, said an official of Coffee Research, Information, Extension and Training Centre in Pyin Oo Lwin.
The impacts of COVID hurt the coffee industry as the lockdown, and physical distancing caused a general reduction in coffee consumption globally. Consequently, coffee exports drastically fell in 2021. Myanmar’s coffee exports were down by half last year, compared to the year prior. The market seems to be on the recovery trend this year, however.
“Coffee exports are quite ok early this year. Normally, the transactions occur in June after taking samples. Traders have been buying coffee beans since December 2021. This year, both the yield and exports increased,” the official added.
Myanmar primarily produces Arabica coffee. Myanmar’s speciality coffee beans are highly demanded due to their high quality and organic production. Speciality coffee fetches a good price as well. According to Myanmar Coffee Association, Myanmar ships coffee beans shipments to an external market do not affect domestic consumption. Myanmar’s coffee has already earned a good reputation in the export markets. It has penetrated markets in Hong Kong, China, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, England, Germany, Australia, Canada and the US.
There are 40,000 acres of highland coffee (Arabica) plantations and around 10,000 acres under lowland coffee (Robusta) in Myanmar. Shan State is the leading producer of coffee beans. Coffee beans are harvested between December and February. They are distributed and exported throughout the year after harvest time.
