The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of Myanmar has issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from companies interested in exporting pineapples to China. This follows the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Protocol agreement between Myanmar and China, which mandates annual SPS measures. EOIs must be submitted to the respective Agriculture Departments in regions and states by 28 February 2025.
Following the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) announcement on 11 November, Myanmar's pineapple has been approved for import into China under phytosanitary regulations. Cultivated in the northern and southern regions of Shan State, with the harvest season spanning June to September, Myanmar's pineapple previously entered China through a green channel for cross-border trade, which was halted on 16 June 2019.
Despite exploring new markets in Thailand, Singapore, and others, the market share remained low. However, negotiations have led to the reopening of the export pathway to China via sea trade. The GACC requires a list of pineapple farms and processing factories for approval, which will then be published on its website.
Myanmar's growers must adhere to good agricultural practices, including quality management, a tracking system for food security, and integrated pest management. Fresh fruits must be washed with a high-pressure spray to remove debris, insects, and other contaminants. The country's authorities are tasked with inspecting not less than two percent of the export volume for pests within the first two years, reducing to one percent if no pests are detected.
Source: The Global