MYANMAR’S GW-11 rice is currently fetching the highest price among rice-exporting countries supplying the Philippines, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.
Vietnam and Thailand, like Myanmar, are also exporting rice to the Philippines. However, Myanmar is receiving the highest price among the rice-exporting countries because of strong demand for its GW-11 variety. The strong demand is attributed not so much to rice milling technology as to the quality of the rice variety itself. Myanmar rice is also exported to the Netherlands, Spain, China, Europe, Africa and some South-East Asian countries.
“Farmers are paying close attention to cultivation as paddy prices are currently favourable. As for rice exports, we are exporting to the Philippines, where demand is strong. We have exported nearly 800,000 tonnes within four months. Among the countries exporting rice to the Philippines, Myanmar is receiving the highest price. It is an unprecedentedly high price. They are purchasing GW-11 rice because they prefer its quality and variety for consumption. Therefore, as in Ayeyawady Region, it is necessary to cultivate GW-11 separately in Mandalay and continue maintaining its quality. At present, higher prices are being offered when the rice is sold separately. The fact that Myanmar rice is in stronger demand than rice from other exporting countries is also a source of satisfaction and pride for the country,” said U Sai Kyaw, a member of the Management Committee of the Myanmar Rice Federation.
GW-11 rice from Myanmar is being consumed in the Philippines and has become a popular variety among consumers. As consumers have increasingly accepted and preferred the variety over other imported rice, GW-11 was initially cultivated, produced and exported exclusively from Ayeyawady Region, after which demand increased due to its popularity. GW-11 rice was exported to China in 2024, where it was well received, and exports have continued annually. In 2026, exports to the Philippines began, and strong consumer preference has resulted in buyers offering good prices and increasing their orders, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.
For GW-11 rice exported to the Philippines, Thailand receives US$480 per tonne, while Myanmar receives US$580 per tonne. From April to August this year, Myanmar has exported about 800,000 tonnes of rice, including varieties from the Aemahta group, with broken rice being exported mainly to Belgium. The Philippines is preparing to purchase 5 million tonnes of rice, while Myanmar has already exported about 800,000 tonnes and continues to ship rice to the country.
As a summer paddy variety, GW-11 produces about 150 to 200 baskets per acre. It is cultivated in Ayeyawady Region, Yangon, Bago, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw, and is a high-yielding variety. About 10 per cent of its cultivation takes place during the monsoon season, while about 80 per cent is cultivated during the summer season.
When GW-11 rice from Ayeyawady Region was first exported to the Philippines this year, it fetched a moderate price. However, farmers in Mandalay Region are now receiving better prices due to strong demand. As overseas demand remains high and companies are competing to export the rice, some exporters who have already signed contracts at the original price are reportedly having to purchase rice at higher prices and export it at lower margins. This is because they need to spend about a month collecting rice after receiving overseas orders, during which the price of a bag of rice has been rising by about K5,000 per week.
Among South-East Asian countries, Myanmar is currently receiving a higher price than Thailand for its rice exports. The high price of Myanmar’s GW-11 rice is attributed not to rice processing capacity but to the quality of the variety and favourable soil and water conditions that contribute to its quality.
Nyein Thu (MNA)KTZH
#GlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
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