Rising Prices in Putao Despite Increased Goods Influx

Pajau Media Channel

June 19, 2024

In the Putao region, where road access has been blocked for over three months and the entire district's internet connection has been severed, the price of goods continues to rise despite the arrival of supply trucks.

On June 8, 14 commodity trucks were allowed to enter the Myitkyina-Putao highway for the first time, coordinated by the Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG). On June 16, eight private fuel trucks also gained access.

During the road closure, gasoline prices soared to 80,000 to nearly 100,000 kyats per liter. Following the arrival of fuel trucks, prices dropped to 30,000 kyats per liter. Similarly, rice prices, which had reached 300,000 kyats per bag, fell to between 100,000 and 200,000 kyats, according to a Putao resident using a Mec SIM card.

"Commodities come from Myitkyina. There are many customs checkpoints along the rough road. Although prices haven't increased beyond their previous highs, they haven't returned to normal levels either. The price of rice has dropped by about 150,000 kyats, but it’s still a slight decrease," the resident reported.

Moreover, the commodity trucks arriving in Putao are small vehicles. Due to rough road conditions during the rainy season and high toll charges, prices continue to rise.

As a result, while the prices of basic food products have decreased slightly compared to the period when the road was blocked, they have not yet returned to normal levels.

Since June 10, following the arrival of the commodity trucks, all internet and phone operators in Putao have been cut off. It's been nearly a month without internet, and phone services have been down for almost a week. Currently, all operators, including MPT, Ooredoo, Telenor, and Mytel, are non-functional in the area. Only Mec SIM cards can make phone calls, but they can no longer access the internet, and new cards are not available for purchase.

The Myitkyina-Putao road has been blocked indefinitely since March due to security concerns following clashes between two armed forces in the Sumprabum region. Since June 10, all phone and internet lines have been blocked, citing a fuel shortage as the reason.