Myanmar is expected to directly export live seafood to China.

Currently, fish produced in Tanintharyi Region are mainly exported to Thailand, while live lobsters, live shrimp, and other aquatic products are transshipped through Thailand to China, and frozen shrimp are exported to Japan.

It is understood that in the past fiscal year 2024-2025, the national aquatic product exports generated over 700 million US dollars, with Tanintharyi Region's export volume exceeding 285,000 tons, generating 303.628 million US dollars.

Therefore, to make more use of cargo planes for transporting aquatic products from Tanintharyi Region, relevant departments are upgrading the Dawei Airport to accommodate large aircraft.

"If large cargo planes can take off and land, we can transport aquatic products to Chengdu and Chongqing in China. The submitted plan also includes expanding the runway for large aircraft to take off and land. If these large cargo planes can operate, we can directly export live fish, live shrimp, including live lobsters, live shrimp, and farmed live shrimp to China. It is understood that currently, there are 3 to 4 flights per week from Myanmar to Chengdu and Chongqing."

"If these flights can also land at Dawei, then we can export. Of course, the airport also needs to be upgraded. Only by becoming an international airport can international flights come to land. If it becomes an international airport, the planes can fly directly. After loading the cargo, they can fly directly to Chengdu, Chongqing, and other places, which will be more convenient for the operators. Because it is fresh, the price will also be better." said a fishery association official.

It is understood that if the Dawei Airport can be successfully upgraded, it will be possible to directly export live shrimp to China, thereby obtaining better prices and increasing income.

In addition, to be able to export processed aquatic products, it is reported that negotiations are underway to establish a fish auction market and an industrial zone in Dawei City, and to build a large-scale freezing processing plant.

"We currently mainly export fish in raw material form, but the electricity fee in Dawei is too expensive. Because of the high electricity fee, we cannot build a freezing plant, so we can only export in raw material form. We have already submitted an application to the state for building a freezing plant."

He added, "If the electricity price can become cheaper, all raw materials can be turned into processed products. Once turned into processed products, the state can also obtain more income. If the raw materials are worth 300 million US dollars, turning them into processed products can reach 600 or 700 million US dollars."