Paletwa prices reach new heights amid military’s ongoing supplies blockade

By DMG 18 Aug 2022

DMG Newsroom
18 August 2022, Paletwa, Chin State 

Food prices have shot up in Chin State’s Paletwa more than two weeks after the military regime blocked waterways linking Paletwa and neighbouring Arakan State’s Kyauktaw, which Paletwa heavily relies upon for food supplies and other goods. 

In Kyauktaw, rice prices vary between K35,000 and K60,000 per sack, depending on quality, while in Paletwa the price of high-quality Paw San Hmwe rice has jumped to K100,000 per sack. 

“Life is increasingly difficult for working-class people. Inferior rice can’t be bought in the town now. It is also difficult to buy Paw San Hmwe rice unless you know rice sellers personally. Even if you have money, you can’t buy as much as you want,” said Paletwa resident Ko Maung Kyaw Hla. 

Fuel prices have also soared to more than K20,000 per litre, forcing many auto-rickshaw drivers to halt their services, said driver Ko Hsan Thet Oo, who added that demand is also not what it used to be. 

“People dare not go out when soldiers are moving around the town. As people don’t go out, our income has declined. We have hardship as food prices have soared,” he said. 

Demand for food items has declined due to high prices, but stocks are almost running out, said grocer Daw Tin Tin Cho from Paletwa. 

“Demand has declined since prices went up. Well-off customers want to buy in bulk. But we can’t sell all our goods to a single customer, so we limit the amount each customer can buy. But stocks are dwindling and will run out next week,” she said. 

Paletwa residents are concerned that the town will face food shortages and subsequent increase in crimes if the Myanmar military continues to block the waterways connecting the Chin State town to Arakan State. 

The regime has blocked the waterways since August 1 following escalating military tensions with the Arakan Army.