Key facts about the industry 2000-2013

Source: adapted from LBVD (2014).

       HIGHLIGHTS

• Myanmar is still an agro-based country. The draft power of cattle and buffalo is widely used in the agricultural sector, even though mechanised farming system is encouraged.
• The beef cattle farming are in an initial stage. Production is traditional mixed crop-livestock systems predominated with Shwe Ni and Pyar Sein breeds. Very few commercial cattle farms can be found in some cities.
• The market chain involves several actors/traders before animals reach markets.
• The processing sector is at a primary stage, largely dominated by small scale slaughterhouses.
• Government policy currently focuses on cattle for draft power – restrictions on slaughtering below 12 years of age and exports of live cattle are not allowed.Unofficial exports live cattle from Myanmar have increased notably recently due to a growing demand from China and Vietnam markets.
• Cross-border price differentials played a crucial role in shaping the cattle trade patterns. Live cattle price inside Burma is significantly lower than neighbouring countries leading to unofficial exports. Reportedly a cow/buffalo bought for K500,000 in Dry Zone could be resold in border areas at 2 to 4 times higher price.