- Web Master
- April 12, 2024
Following the renewed conflicts
in Rakhine State, the military
council has
blocked all major roads and
waterways which leads to soaring prices of essential
commodities including the food products.
Soon after the gun
fighting broke out in
the first week of November, the prices of various
commodities increased significantly.
Now one viss of Chinese
garlic costs MMK 20,000 which
was earlier MMK 15,000. Similarly, one viss of onion increases
its price from MMK 4,000 to MMK 20,000, one
viss of ginger from MMK 10,000 to MMK 12,000, one
viss of dried chili from MMK 10,000 to MMK 60,000, and one litre
of Good Choice oil jumped
prices from MMK 6,000 to MMK 60,000.
So both the
middle-class and lower middle-class families in
Rakhine State have been facing difficulties
in running the
family affairs.
"If the larger
stores start selling
goods with elevated
prices, we are bound to buy and later sell with the higher
rates. Now common people hardly afford to
buy these items. So the sales dropped
almost three times.
Everyone is facing a difficult time
here,” said a small grocery owner.
Many dishonest
businessmen are now selling
stored goods with higher prices. A large number of poor
families are facing food scarcity because of the increasing price rise.
"The prices of all commodities are now
increasing. We don't have
jobs as well. No customers are taking the motorbike
sidecar on rent. Moreover,
rising fuel prices
are creating problems for the motorbike riders.
Now I can not even get commodities on on credit. I
have to seek assistance from the monastery,” said a motorbike
owner.
Before the resurgence of gun
fighting, the price of 92 RON gasoline in
Sittwe township was MMK
2,200 per litre. It had gone to MMK
3,000 in the second week of November and by end
of the month, it had increased
up to MMK 10,000. Now
it has surged to MMK 27,000.
"When the price increases,
it decreases the profit for vendors. Often the vegetables get
damaged and it leads to a heavy loss. Often
we have to offer commodities with credit to many
customers. Lately we incur loss while
doing business,” said a woman
vegetable vendor.
Currently, the military
council has
blocked Yangon-Sittwe highway along with other
roads connecting various townships
and it has created a difficult situation
for the residents.