Transport costs and prices of basic food items have increased in Mon State due to petrol shortages and limited supply, residents said.
Despite a drop in the Thai baht, which would normally lower the price of imported goods, transportation costs have risen due to petrol shortages, pushing up prices of Thai products.
Transport costs have increased by between 2,000 and 6,000 kyat per item depending on size and type, as access to petrol remains difficult.
Food prices have also risen, increasing from several thousand to tens of thousands of kyat depending on the product, according to a grocery seller in Ye Township.
“Prices are gradually rising. It is mainly due to transport costs. At a time when Thai goods should be cheaper, prices are going up instead. For example, cooking oil has increased by about 10,000 kyat per carton,” she said.
She added that higher transport costs have also caused delays in the delivery of goods.
Residents said that while food prices usually rise during the Thingyan period, this year the increase is more significant due to the petrol crisis, placing additional pressure on low-income households.
“Families with many members are already struggling with food expenses. Prices are rising every week. A bag of rice has increased from 60,000 to 67,000 kyat. Watercress now costs about 1,000 kyat per bundle. Prices usually rise before Thingyan, but this year they have increased more due to petrol shortages,” said a resident from Paung Township.
A rice trader in Mawlamyine said the price of locally produced rice has increased by around 5,000 kyat per bag compared to previous levels, depending on transport costs.
Residents said prices may continue to rise as it remains unclear how long the petrol shortage will last.
