Myanmar’s Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development has committed to supporting coffee farmers in southern Shan State to enhance production and increase exports. The announcement was made by Union Minister U Myo Zaw Thein during a visit on August 1 to the Green Gold Coffee Cooperative and the Coffeeneo processing factory in Hopong Township, located in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone.

During the visit, U Myo Zaw Thein outlined plans to provide financial assistance and essential agricultural inputs to coffee growers in the region. He emphasized the ministry’s intention to facilitate farmers’ access to investment opportunities and production resources, aiming to promote a systematic expansion of coffee cultivation.

The Union minister also engaged directly with local coffee producers to discuss the challenges affecting the sector and potential solutions. He underscored the need for accurate data collection at the grassroots level to inform rural development initiatives effectively. Furthermore, he urged local authorities to prioritize practical projects that can generate tangible benefits, highlighting the importance of coordination among government agencies to maximize impact.

Southern Shan State is well regarded both domestically and internationally as a major producer of Myanmar’s specialty coffee. The country's coffee exports contribute an estimated US$3 million to US$5 million in foreign exchange annually. Myanmar’s specialty coffee finds markets primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan Province of China, and Australia. Additionally, trade through border crossings sustains supply chains to neighbouring China and Thailand.

The ministry’s renewed focus on bolstering the coffee sector aligns with broader efforts to strengthen rural economies and increase export revenues in Myanmar.