Within the framework of the negotiations being carried out by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Worship, the Minister of Agro-industry and the National Service for Agri-food Health and Quality to obtain broader access to foreign markets for Argentine products, on 18 April 2018 the Republic of the Union of Myanmar communicated it has granted market access to Argentine potato exports.
This decision adds to the recent grant of market access to Argentine exports of soy, peas and corn. Myanmar's decision to grant market access to these products is part of the strategy pursued jointly by this Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Agro-industry to secure greater market diversification for agricultural exports.
This potential increase in exports will also increase bilateral trade between Argentina and Myanmar, which in 2017 amounted to USD 11.2 million, with Argentina currently having a trade deficit (USD -1.4 million). The Republic of the Union of Myanmar has a population of 53 million and a GDP growth rate at 6.1% as of 2016, with a 6.3% average growth between 2007 and 2011. It is currently the 127th destination for Argentine exports.
Argentina's largest exports in 2017 were those of dried peas, amounting to USD 2.6 million (with an 88% increase vis-a-vis the previous year, and accounting for 54% of total Argentine exports to Myanmar). The second largest exports were frozen fish fillets, amounting to USD 926,000 (19% of total Argentine exports to Myanmar). In 2017, Argentine exports mainly comprised 57% of primary products, 25% of processed agricultural products and 17% of processed industrial products.
On the other hand, imports from Myanmar comprised 80% of consumption goods, including clothing and footwear.
Press release No. 233/18