The Fisheries Department stated that 21 cold storage facilities are preparing to follow the Best Aquaculture Practices and food safety standards to be able to export freshwater fish to Saudi Arabia.

The ongoing situation of 21 cold storage facilities endeavouring to seek globally recognized BAP certificates is reported to Saudi Arabia’s counterparts. They are trying to strictly follow the BAP standard. The Department of Fisheries is also planning to inform Saudi Arabia of possible fish diseases that can be found in Myanmar.

The BAP certification is to ensure that aquaculture seafood is produced safely, environmentally sustainable, and ethically per international food safety standards.

Saudi Arabia does not accept the export of farm fish under integrated chicken and fish farming. Myanmar exports freshwater fish that thrive in their natural aquatic environments to Saudi Arabia, generating an income of about US$50 million per year. If Myanmar can export farmed fish to Saudi Arabia, it could double its earnings.

Myanmar steadily exports seafood to 40 countries, including China, Thailand, Japan and some European countries.

More than 20 fish species, including hilsa, rohu, catfish, and seabass, are conveyed to foreign markets, according to the Myanmar Fisheries Federation.

Myanmar bagged over $722 million from 550,000 tonnes of fishery exports as of February 2025 in the financial year 2024-2025 beginning 1 April.

ASH/KK

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