MYANMAR – Myanmar is making strides towards self-sufficiency in edible oil by constructing its first rice bran oil plant in the Pyinmana township of Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory.
This initiative, led by Myanmar Rice Bran Oil Company Limited (MRBO), was officially announced on September 9, 2024, and is expected to impact the local agricultural economy significantly.
The plant, which has been under construction since February 2024, will feature a 200-ton crude rice bran oil processing facility and a 50-tonne oil refinery.
According to MRBO, the facility is projected to produce an impressive 90,000 tonnes of crude rice bran oil and 6,300 tonnes of refined oil annually.
This production aims to meet domestic demands and position Myanmar as a competitive player in the international edible oil market.
U Ye Min Aung, president of the Myanmar Rice Federation, recently emphasised the importance of this project, noting, “The operation of the rice bran oil plant is expected to begin by early 2025.”
This timeline suggests a rapid progression towards establishing a stable supply of rice bran oil derived from the by-products of rice milling.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster Myanmar’s agricultural sector. The government and the Myanmar Rice Federation are collaborating to ensure that local rice mill owners benefit from increased rice bran oil production.
Through this project, MRBO aims to create job opportunities and stimulate local development. The company stated, “The production of rice bran oil will contribute to the development of the agricultural and rice sectors in Myanmar, boosting income for local rice mill owners.”
The significance of this plant extends beyond local consumption. Once operational, the facility will not only cater to domestic needs but will also have the potential to export rice bran oil, further enhancing Myanmar’s agricultural profile.
The project aligns with the government’s commitment to reducing reliance on imported edible oils, which have significantly burdened the economy.
The plant’s groundbreaking ceremony took place at the MAPCO rice mill complex in Pyinmana Township. Key government officials, including Union ministers for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Cooperatives and Rural Development, Industry, and Commerce, attended the ceremony.
Their presence underscored the government’s support for this initiative and its potential to transform the local oil production landscape.
In addition to producing rice bran oil, the plant will utilize the defatted bran as raw material for feedstuff processing, thereby creating an integrated agricultural value chain.
This approach maximises resource use and supports the livestock sector by providing essential feed components.
Establishing this rice bran oil plant marks a pivotal moment for Myanmar’s agricultural sector, as it seeks to enhance local production capabilities and reduce import dependency
. As U Ye Min Aung stated, “This plant will become the first-ever refinery for edible oil in Myanmar,” highlighting its importance in economic development.
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