Food Prices Rise in Western Hpruso Due to Transportation Difficulties

Due to worsening road transportation during the rainy season, and disrupting the delivery of goods, food prices have risen in the western part of Hpruso Township, according to local residents. Since the second week of June, the main road that was previously used for transportation has become impassable. As a result, goods now have to be transported either by manual labor or by tractor. “Transportation is much worse than in previous years. Cargo trucks have stopped entering since the middle of June because the roads are no longer passable for trucks. At the moment, tractors are still being used, but most goods are carried by people, and only in small amounts,” a local resident said. The price of a sack of rice, which previously cost around 150,000 kyats, has now increased to between 200,000 and 250,000 kyats, making it difficult to afford. Moreover, gasoline now costs up to 15,000 kyats per liter, while prices of other basic food commodities have also risen. Local residents said that in areas where cars and motorcycles cannot travel, people are carrying goods by hand to prevent shortages of essential supplies. “When we have to transport by tractor, we can only carry small amounts, so prices have gone up, including food. A journey that used to take half a day now takes at least two to three days,” another local resident said. Goods are transported from Demoso Township, but rising transportation costs and difficult road conditions have driven up prices in eight villages and three displacement camps, according to local residents. Residents added that the rainy season has not only made the transportation of goods more difficult but has also disrupted access to healthcare, education, humanitarian assistance, and general travel.