The livestock sector in Myanmar represents a significant component of the national economy, contributing approximately 6 percent to the country’s GDP. Beyond its economic role, the sector provides critical livelihood opportunities for rural households and underpins the supply of animalsource foods (ASF), which are essential for enhancing dietary diversity and nutritional outcomes. A resilient and efficiently functioning livestock sector also generates important multiplier effects, contributing to poverty reduction, employment creation, and overall economic growth (Diao et al. 2024). This note summarizes recent structural and market developments in Myanmar’s livestock industry and examines their implications for ASF price dynamics.
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- Rapid modernization of the livestock sector, driven by substantial foreign direct investment in the animal feed industry during the 2010s, enabled the rapid expansion of low-cost chicken and pig production in Myanmar. This, in turn, contributed to a significant rise in the consumption of animal-source foods (ASF) across the country.
- This growth has been interrupted in recent years. It is estimated that over the past five years, commercial feed and chicken/pork production have declined by an estimated 20–25 percent, partly due to reduced consumer purchasing power.
- The livestock sector now faces mounting new challenges. Stringent import restrictions have disrupted inputs essential for modern production systems. This is especially problematic for the animal feed sector. While domestic alternative ingredients are being tested, they are less efficient and more costly.
- Additional disruptions from earthquakes, conflict, and animal diseases have further constrained livestock production.
- These supply constraints have led to rapidly rising ASF prices in the country, with significant implications for consumption.