“ Imported Goods from India Causing Hardships for Rakhine Locals”
Arakha Times (12-November-2024)
All trade routes within Rakhine State have remained closed since November 13, 2023, when fighting broke out between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military council forces.
As a result, goods are being imported from India via sea routes to prevent shortages, but prices have reportedly skyrocketed.
People are having to buy bottled water for 10,000 kyats per purified water bottle and oral rehydration salt packets for 3,000 kyats each. Merchants are forced to sell goods at higher prices due to increased fuel costs.
A Rakhine local explained the difficulties caused by these rising prices to Arakha Times: “ There are major challenges because there’s no flow of goods from mainland Myanmar due to the closure of three routes: Ann-Padan road, Gwa-Ngathayinchaung road, and Sittwe-Taungup road.
Transportation with India is also very difficult. Sea routes are challenging due to strong currents that large boats can’t navigate. This has caused prices to increase dramatically.
For ordinary people, items that used to cost 1,000 kyats now cost 10,000 kyats. A bottle of purified water is 5,000 kyats, a cigarette is 500-600 kyats. When people get diarrhea, they have to pay 3,000 kyats for one packet of oral rehydration salts. These high prices are because merchants face difficulties with road connections and high fuel prices – they need to sell at these prices to make a profit. This impacts the consuming public significantly.”
Currently, due to intense fighting between the AA and military council forces in Ann, Taungup, and Gwa townships, rice prices have reportedly reached 300,000 kyats per bag.
Moreover, although it’s currently harvesting season for monsoon rice in Rakhine State, farmers face difficulties due to equipment shortages, challenges in purchasing fuel, and extremely high prices.
A Rakhine local told Arakha Times: “ It’s harvesting season now. Harvesting machines are scarce. Even when equipment is available, premium fuel costs over 2.5 million kyats per barrel. And even at that price, diesel is not available. The diesel imported from India isn’t suitable for harvesting machines.”
Currently, goods imported from India’s Mizoram State enter through Chin State’s Paletwa Township, en route to Rakhine’s Kyaukphyu Township. However, this route supports only Kyaukphyu, leaving other townships struggling to access essential supplies.