Myanmar's aquaculture sector on the rise

As Myanmar embarked on its recent road to democratic and economic reform, so it re-emerged into the world of trade. Whilst this offers exciting opportunities to increase export potential, there is also an urgent need to address a number of issues in its aquaculture sector if it is to profit from the development. IntraFish Aquaculture reports from a recent trip to the country.

Aquaculture is a vital sector in Myanmar, providing jobs and food security for its people, who have one of the highest consumption rates in the world, at 56 kilos per capita.

The vast majority of seafood goes for domestic consumption, with just 8 percent exported, at a value of $653 million (€600 million) in 2013. In the same year the country produced 929,400 metric tons from aquaculture, of its 4.72 million metric tons total seafood output.

Fish aquaculture relies heavily on Rohu, Mrigal and Catla carps, which account for around 80 percent of fish aquaculture production.