No end in sight for rising prices in Arakan State

By Admin 16 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
16 October 2024, Sittwe

Food and fuel prices continue to rise in Arakan State's Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon, Pauktaw and Rathedaung townships, which are held by the Arakkha Army (AA).

The market price of garlic has increased from K4,000 per viss to K30,000. The price of coffee mix has increased from K6,000 to K23,000 per packet and pork prices increased from K18,000 per viss to K32,000, while fuel prices have risen from K3,200 per litre to K16,000.

The prices of products such as dried chilli, cheroot, instant noodles, detergent powder, snacks, sugar and other consumer goods have also increased up to 10 times more than before.

"The rising price of goods, which is justified by the price of the US dollar, will no longer fall when the price of the US dollar falls. People will go hungry in the long run," said Daw Khaing Hnin Oo, a housewife in Mrauk-U.

At a time when people in Arakan State depended on mainland Myanmar for almost all consumer goods, including basic foodstuffs, food and consumer goods are being transported from India to Arakan State due to the junta blockades.

Consumers say that they have been able to get goods via this route to Arakan State as much as they want, but prices are still rising.

"It is a good time to look into the interests of businesspeople in the unstable situation in Arakan State. From our point of view, the price of an item can [justifiably] increase up three times due to travel restrictions and the cost of transportation, but now the price has increased 10 times. This [price gouging] also needs to be handled by the relevant authorities," said Ma Phyo Hsan Thwe, a young woman in Myebon.

As a result of the fighting between Myanmar's military regime and the AA, local residents are facing various difficulties such as lack of employment and irregular incomes, while at the same time, due to skyrocketing commodity prices, residents are said to be facing famine-like conditions.

"I can't make even K2,000 daily. Some people beg for food from others. People are going hungry," said Ma Darli, a resident of Kyauktaw.

Due to the high price of goods, the grassroots, displaced people and local residents from various walks of life are facing a variety of challenges, and are demanding that the relevant authorities take special measures to reduce prices.

"There will be more people who go hungry. We want the ULA/AA [United League of Arakan/Arakkha Army] to control the market on the ground and set prices. If the ULA/AA can't control the market, the situation for the grassroots will only get worse," said Ma Kyawt Kyawt, a local woman in Mrauk-U.

Since launching its offensive against the regime some 11 months ago, the AA has seized 10 out of 17 townships in Arakan State, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State. Fierce clashes between the military and AA are reported in most of the remaining townships.