Chiang Mai – The Burmese military junta has lifted the ban on the export of rice after five months in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis lashing parts of Burma including the country's rice bowl – the Irrawaddy delta.
Rice export has been permitted again as of early October, according to an official.
"Those who have the license can export rice after going through different stages. The decision, however, rests with the Trade Council authorities. There were restrictions earlier but now export of rice is being permitted again. Priority will be given to companies which were into land reclamation and grew rice on the new land stretches," an official of the Foreign Export Department told Mizzima on condition of anonymity.
The Foreign Export Department is under the Ministry of Commerce and Economy which supervises rice exports.
The regime imposed restrictions on export of rice after Cyclone Nargis devastated rice producing regions of Irrawaddy and Rangoon Divisions on May 2 and 3.
Though the Trade Department official declined to give further details, export of rice is being allowed only after ensuring 'self-sufficiency in domestic consumption.
Rice export permit seekers must apply within parameters of the scheme, an official from 'Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry' said.
"Yes, it has been two weeks. The companies can apply for rice export permits by mentioning the country it is being sent to and the buyer. Officials will come and inspect the goods once the permit is granted. They said they would grant permits to those who have a valid and sound background and can produce documents. No one has been given such permits yet," said a rice trader from Bayintnaung Brokerage market.
The most popular Burmese rice in foreign markets is the 'Zeyar' and 'Eimahta' (with 25 per cent broken rice).
According to Food and Agricultural Organization, Cyclone Nargis destroyed 1.9 million acres (783,000 hectares) of rice fields and 90 per cent of rice seed stocks.
Burma expects to export 600,000 tons of rice in 2008 which is nearly 1 per cent of the total rice production in the world, the UN organization' figure says.
Since rice production in Irrawaddy Division usually accounts for two thirds of the total rice production in Burma some are worried about rice shortage in 2009.
The potential buyers of Burmese rice are Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mauritius and South Africa.
