Pajau Media Channel
3rd June, 2024
The Myitkyina-Putao highway closure, resulting from the ongoing skirmish between armed forces in Putao District since early March, has severely impacted the local grapefruit market, which serves as the primary source of income for Putao residents annually.
Grapefruit merchants have reported significant losses due to the market disruption. One merchant stated, "The grapefruits we stored have perished due to the inability to transport them to Myitkyina, resulting in a complete loss of investment. The closure has also prevented local sales, further exacerbating the situation."
Putao grapefruits are primarily transported to Myitkyina for sale, and this year, the price has increased from 1,000 kyats to 1,500 kyats per grapefruit. In previous years, tons of grapefruits were transported and traded, but the current reliance on air transport has severely limited the volume, leading to substantial losses for the local economy.
A Putao grapefruit farm owner reported, "Previously, storing grapefruits for three to four months before selling them yielded a good profit, with a potential doubling of the initial purchase price. However, this year, the grapefruit market has collapsed, resulting in total losses. While in the past, even unsold grapefruits could cover the following year’s farming costs, this is no longer the case."
News - Mali Hku
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