"MYANMAR will resume rice exports from May at regular volumes of 150,000 tonnes. The Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) said 100,000 tonnes will be shipped overseas while the remaining 50,000 tonnes will be traded at the border. According to reports in the Myanmar Times, government estimates indicate that more than two million tonnes will be allocated for export in the current fiscal year. About 10 per cent will be retained as food reserves for Myanmar. A total of 112 companies will handle the maritime exports while 200 companies will be involved in the border trade for May. The MRF said about 60 per cent of the two million tonnes will consist of equal allocations from all the companies. The remaining volumes will consist of additional allocations from companies involved in contract farming and which made investments in mills or warehouses over the last three years. MRF is currently in negotiations with some Asean countries and for government-to-government export arrangements. Executive member of the MRF, U Soe Thun said the country has a rice surplus of between 2.5 million and three million tonnes and these are exported every year. The country exported about 2.5 million tonnes last year..."