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Myanmar's Department of Fisheries aims to achieve an ambitious export value of $700 million for the 2024-2025 financial year
Surging Global Demand and Climate Impacts Push Myanmar's Prawn Prices to Record Highs
MYANMAR
Thursday, August 14, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
With Global Demand Soaring and Supply Dwindling, Myanmar's Prawn Prices Hit New Highs
YANGON – Despite increased seasonal supply, a combination of strong export demand, recent monsoon-related fishing disruptions, and long-term climate impacts has driven up prices for both freshwater and saltwater prawns in Yangon's markets. As the industry grapples with these challenges, a two-month fishing ban was shortened this year to bolster a sector that experienced a dip in exports during the second quarter of 2025.
 Freshwater and saltwater prawns have entered Yangon's two main markets, but vendors report that high prices persist due to demand outpacing supply. This is attributed to several factors: last month's full-scale fishing was hampered by rough seas caused by climate change, and many freshwater prawn farms in regions like Twantay, Nyaungdon, and Bago suspended or reduced production after being hit by floods last year.
"The fishing vessels are arriving at the Yangon jetties, bringing in sea prawns like tiger, flower, white, and gold prawns, many of which are destined for export to China," said Daw Tin Nwe from the Kyimyindine Sanpya fish market. "Boat arrivals depend on weather conditions, and with strong demand for exports, the sea prawn price is on the rise. To lower prices, we need to increase both catching and breeding, but for now, prices are high."
Rising Costs and Currency Conversion
According to market data, prawn prices have seen a significant increase. The local currency, the Myanmar Kyat (K), currently trades at approximately 2,100 K to $1 US. The local unit of measurement is the viss, which is equivalent to 1.63 kilograms.
Here is a breakdown of recent market prices:
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Tiger prawn: K45,000 to K55,000 per viss (approximately $13.12 to $16.03 per kg).
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Flower and white prawns: K35,000 to K45,000 per viss (approximately $10.20 to $13.12 per kg).
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Gold prawn: K23,000 per viss (approximately $6.70 per kg).
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Saltwater Vannamei: K35,000 per viss (approximately $10.20 per kg).
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Freshwater Caridea: K60,000 per viss (approximately $17.49 per kg).
 U Maung Naing from the Shwepadauk fish market noted the low supply and high consumption of freshwater prawns. "The Caridea is priced between K30,000 and K35,000 per viss (approximately $8.75 and $10.20 per kg), but prices are still rising due to low supply and high consumption," he stated. This marks a sharp increase from the K19,000 to K20,000 per viss (approximately $5.53 to $5.83 per kg) price seen in late June.
An Industry Under Pressure
The high prices are a direct consequence of a challenging year for the industry. While the government shortened its annual fishing moratorium to two months this year to allow fleets to return to sea earlier, many commercial vessels faced delays due to labor shortages and the need to monitor for monsoonal weather patterns. This contributed to a decline in seafood exports, which fell by 8.8% in volume during the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Despite this, Myanmar's Department of Fisheries aims to achieve an ambitious export value of $700 million for the 2024-2025 financial year. The country primarily exports seafood, including prawns, to around 40 international markets, with China, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Japan being the main destinations. The export-focused saltwater prawns are transported to cold storage facilities in Yangon, while the Caridea variety is mainly exported, and the Vannamei is sold in local markets.
editorial@seafood.media
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