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Export Market Guide - Myanmar

This content is restricted to wine exporters and levy-payers. Some reports are available for purchase to non-levy payers/exporters.

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A number of reforms have been undertaken to improve business and trading conditions but challenges still remain including the weakness of the rule of law, lack of a stable business environment, lack of transparency and widespread corruption.  

Myanmar joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1997 and is a member of its Economic Community. 

Australia and Myanmar are signatories to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) which entered into force in 2009. Myanmar has not committed to any tariff reductions for wine. 

Myanmar is party to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Free Trade Agreement negotiations currently taking place between ASEAN, New Zealand, Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea so there is potential for FTA tariff concessions in future.  

The imported wine market is made up primarily of wines from France, Chile, Australia and South Africa although wines from most major exporting countries can be found on the shelves. Wines from France have traditionally dominated the market, particularly in terms of value, but there has been a growing interest in wines from the New World. There are no official statistics available on the market but it is estimated to be worth USD$2 million and around half a million litres per year.

The wine market has been severely curtailed due to the recent enforcement of restrictions on legal import channels as only hotels and duty free stores are permitted to import alcoholic beverages. There is a proposal currently being considered to relax these restrictions but until then demand for imported wine will be limited.

The imported food distribution network primarily flows through local agents and distributors with specialist industry knowledge and established networks. Austrade Yangon is able to help identify potential local partners for interested Australian companies (see Contacts below). Challenges to accessing the Myanmar market include a significantly underdeveloped logistical network with lack of infrastructure and high transportation and port costs. 

Unstable power generation means products should be packed and shipped in consideration of the tropical climate and with clear storage instructions.

Myanmar is a minor export market for Australian wine. Nevertheless, with tariff rates for Australian products under negotiation through the RCEP free trade discussions, Myanmar may be a future market to consider.

 

The Myanmar Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the regulatory framework for food regulations established under the National Food Law 1997. Myanmar is in the process of adopting a new National Food Law, which it drafted with assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is expected to be approved in 2020, however no further information was available at the time of this update. Other applicable laws include the Myanmar Merchandise Marks Act 1889 and the new Consumer Protection Law 2019, which repeals the Consumer Protection Law 2014.

The Ministry of Commerce issues import licences for most food products while the Department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the inspection and clearance of imported food at the border. Myanmar Customs Department administers the Sea and Land Customs Act, the Tariff Law and the Commercial Tax Law and is responsible for the collection of import duty and import procedures.



This content is restricted to wine exporters and levy-payers. Some reports are available for purchase to non-levy payers/exporters.

Levy payers/exporters
Non-levy payers/exporters
Find out more

This content is restricted to wine exporters and levy-payers. Some reports are available for purchase to non-levy payers/exporters.