Rising Egg Prices Deepen Cost-of-Living Crisis in Southern Shan

The price of eggs has surged to as high as 800 Kyats each in southern Shan State, pushing many households deeper into hardship as post-coup trade restrictions disrupt supplies of one of the country’s most affordable sources of protein. Since the beginning of the year, Myanmar’s military junta has blocked key trade routes and banned imports from Thailand and China, restricting the flow of essential agricultural and livestock supplies. According to Nang Kham, a poultry farmer in Taunggyi, the restrictions have caused severe shortages of poultry feed and vaccines, driving up production costs and, ultimately, retail prices. “After they banned imports, chicken vaccines became expensive and scarce. If chickens can’t be vaccinated, they die,”Nang Kham told SHAN. “When the prices of feed and raw materials go up, the price of eggs goes up as well.” Agricultural supplies are no longer arriving reliably, raising concerns about worsening shortages. Before the restrictions, farm-gate prices averaged around 300 Kyats per egg. Wholesale prices have now risen to between 450 and 470 Kyats per egg. Consumers are facing even steeper increases. Retail prices at grocery stores and markets, which previously averaged about 500 Kyats per egg, have climbed to between 700 and 800 Kyats, with a pack of 10 eggs now costing around 6,000 Kyats. Nang Aye, a Taunggyi resident, said the rising cost of basic food staples is placing an increasing burden on ordinary families. “Egg prices keep rising. For many reasons, the cost of living is increasing, and people’s expenses are much higher than before,” she said. “When a basic food item like an egg costs 700 or 800 Kyats, how are working-class families supposed to survive? ” Residents say the prices of essential commodities have steadily increased since the military seized power in 2021, placing growing strain on household budgets. Poultry farmers warn that if the junta’s import restrictions remain in place, worsening shortages of feed and other essential inputs could force many local farms to cease operations.