Food, fuel prices continue their unrelenting rise in Arakan State

By Admin 21 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
21 August 2024, Sittwe

Food and fuel prices continue to rise in Arakan State as junta blockades and ongoing fighting show no signs of letting up.

The market price of dried pepper increased from 35,000 kyats per viss on August 3 to 45,000 kyats on August 19.  The prices of seasoning powder have increased from 27,000 kyats to 28,000 kyats per viss, onion prices remained the same at 16,000 kyats per viss, while fuel prices increased from 14,500 kyats per litre to 16,000 kyats in the same period.

One merchant from Kyauktaw Township said: “The prices of basic foods and fuel do not increase much when they can still be imported from India, Bago [Region] and other parts of the country. But their prices shoot up once the supply is stopped or disrupted.”

Food prices have hit record highs in Arakan State, with the cost of most foodstuffs having increased markedly over pre-coup levels.

Before the 2021 coup, garlic sold for 4,000 kyats per viss. It is 45,000 kyats per viss now. The price of dried pepper has increased from 8,000 kyats per viss to 45,000 kyats now.

“Some goods have not increased further in prices this month. However, their prices have not gone down. For example, garlic price remains the same at 45,000 kyats per viss. People who survive on daily wages are having a real hard time,” said a Mrauk-U resident.

The prices of consumer goods have also surged in Arakan State as the regime has cut off trade with other parts of the country since the renewed fighting broke out in November. Internally displaced people (IDPs) are suffering the brunt of high commodity prices.

Myanmar’s economy has been in free fall since the coup, with hyperinflation affecting millions. In Arakan State, residents are also suffering from cash shortages amid the collapse of the banking system across most of the state.