Rice prices in Sittwe rise after Myanmar confirms first coronavirus cases

By Myo Thiri Kyaw 25 Mar 2020

Myo Thiri Kyaw/DMG
25 March, Sittwe

Days after the Myanmar government announced its first confirmed cases of coronavirus, the price of rice in the Arakan State capital Sittwe has risen markedly due to high demand, rice traders said.

Two people from Yangon Region and Chin State, who returned from the United Kingdom and United States respectively, tested positive for the virus also known as COVID-19 on March 23.

U Aung Toe Chay, a rice trader, said the price of a bag of “paw san hmway” rice increased from K37,000 (US$26.43) to K44,000.

“If we can import rice regularly, the price will return to normal. We do not want to increase the price. The rice price surged due to the higher demand,” he said.

U Shwe Tun Aung, chair of the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association (MRPTA–Arakan State), said people should not need to buy rice in a rush or horde the food staple because rice stocks are sufficient in the Arakan State market.

“We have enough rice. And we have farmers and rice mills. The rice price surged in Sittwe only,” he said.

On March 24, about 2,000 bags of rice were sold in the Sittwe rice market, he added.

The Arakan State Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, MRPTA–Arakan State and the Myanmar Rice Millers Association (Arakan State) has requested that rice traders sell properly categorized rice qualities at fair prices as this week’s news of coronavirus in the country brings reports of “panic buying” among the public.

The prices of other foodstuffs have also increased in Sittwe, consumers said.