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November 09, 2026
Taninthayi Region earned US$52.193 million from exports of five aquaculture products in the 2025-2026 financial year, according to the Taninthayi Region Fisheries Federation. Aquaculture and fisheries activities in the region contribute to national economic interests, rural development and poverty alleviation.
The export earnings came from a total of 12,267.368 tonnes of products from five coastal aquaculture sectors: fish farming generated US$2.032 million, shrimp farming US$48.003 million, soft-shell crab farming US$1.689 million, spotted Babylon snail farming US$424,000 and seaweed farming US$45,000.
“More than 89 per cent of people in Taninthayi Region are engaged in fisheries-related activities. Therefore, producing finished products rather than exporting raw materials would generate more foreign exchange earnings. Exporting live fish and shrimp by air would also help increase foreign currency earnings.
“It is encouraging that the President has given guidance to expand and upgrade Myeik Airport, and construction work is under way. Once live fish and shrimp can be exported abroad by air, foreign exchange earnings will increase considerably. Fishers and business operators will also enjoy higher incomes,” said U Thet Soe, Secretary of the Taninthayi Region Fisheries Federation.
In addition to harvesting marine products from offshore and inshore fishing grounds in the Myeik Archipelago, which comprises more than 800 islands, and other coastal areas of Taninthayi Region, local businesses are engaged in the annual farming and production of fish, shrimp and other export-oriented aquatic products to meet international market demand. Shrimp farming for export is being expanded this year. The Myeik Archipelago, which generates foreign exchange earnings through annual exports of aquatic products, is rich in freshwater and marine natural resources and contributes to food security and foreign currency earnings.
Vietnam earned more than US$10 billion from aquatic product exports in 2020. Given Myanmar’s extensive rivers, streams, lakes and fishing grounds, strategic planning to expand aquaculture and fisheries production, together with improvements in transportation and logistics to facilitate direct exports, is expected to help the country increase foreign exchange earnings and open up new markets for aquatic products. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/ST
