Rice, fuel prices soar in Paletwa due to supplies blockade

By DMG 10 Aug 2022

DMG Newsroom
10 August 2022, Paletwa 

The prices of consumer goods including rice and fuel have soared in Chin State’s Paletwa, where tensions are escalating between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army, causing hardship for residents. 

Paletwa relies on neighbouring Arakan State’s Kyauktaw for food supplies and other goods, and food prices have shot up since the Myanmar military blocked both roadways and waterways between the two towns on August 1. 

The price of Emata rice has increased from K35,000 per sack to over K60,000 now, while the price of Paw San Hmwe has jumped from K60,000 to over K80,000, according to local residents. 

“We buy rice, oil and all the other basic foodstuffs from Kyauktaw. We are experiencing hardship now as transportation of supplies is banned,” said a Paletwa resident. “What’s more, we can’t buy fuel now. Some businesses have suspended operations due to the lack of fuel. Auto-rickshaw drivers aren’t working either.” 

Fuel prices have increased from K3,500 per litre to K8,000 now. Fuel shortages have also been reported in Paletwa. 

“The prices of all commodities have gone up,” said another resident. “The worst thing is we can hardly buy rice and fuel. We are now eating dried fish that we bought earlier. We can’t go anywhere as the roads are blocked. We have to make do with what we have.” 

In Kyauktaw, rice prices vary between K35,000 and K60,000 per sack, depending on quality. Paletwa residents have called on the regime to lift the ban on vessels plying the route between Paletwa and Kyauktaw, and to enlist Z-craft operated by the regime in service of better supplying Paletwa. 

“Prices have increased, but the problem is we can’t find [goods] even if we can afford to pay high prices. Even if they block water transport, they should at least run the Z-craft. There will be no shortage of commodities then,” said a Paletwa local. 

The regime has also cut off internet services in Paletwa, with local residents fearful due to recent clashes between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in Paletwa Township and neighbouring Arakan State.