Taking the initiative from the latest social and economic reforms in Myanmar, FAS USDA and ASA International Marketing (ASA-IM) jointly organized a business development program to actively engage the two largest aquaculture companies in the country to promote US soybean meal.
Fully integrated, the two companies operate 10,000 acres of fish farm each and export their products to India and the Middle East. The feed industry in Myanmar is still under-developed. With a total of 23 feed mills in the country, only 10 are operational and of that five feed mills produce aqua feed, Myanmar holds a lot of promise as the market continues to open up for development.
“I am impressed by these companies. They are enthusiastic, keen to learn and want to try US soybean meal in their feed. As leaders in their industry, if they start using US soybean meal others will surely follow. Based on the outcome of our meetings, there is a good chance we will see the first shipments of US soybean meal into Myanmar start with these companies”, said John Lindblom, Regional Director – ASA-IM SE Asia.
The program started with presentations by FAS and ASA-IM leading to round table discussions that addressed the issues facing the country’s feed and livestock industry and specific questions relating to the importation of US soybeans and soy products. Trade meetings were set up with two international exporters to further their intent to purchase US soybean meal.
"The Myanmar aquaculture industry is one of the largest in SEA, and the ASA-IM SEA Aquaculture Program was the first ASA-IM program to be allowed to start a limited effort in Myanmar. Our efforts in the Myanmar aqua industry, fostering knowledge transfer in better aquaculture approaches, especially in the use of US soy is drawing a lot of interest", said Lukas Manomaitis, Technical Director – Aquaculture, ASA-IM SEA.
Other activities included a tour of the Crown Pacific premix facility, a state-of-the-art premix production plant that sells and distributes their product worldwide.
