This Market Price Report (MPR) provides data from 37 townships across 9 states/regions in Myanmar. Data are collected from three vendors per product per market. Prices were collected one week later than usual this round, in the first week of October. Reports are available at http://www.themimu.info/market-analysis-unit.
KEY FINDINGS
* Food and NFI baskets fell 1.9% and 3.6% in September as post-monsoon prices dipped across regions;
* Overall prices fell 2-4% in Kayin, Magway and Sagaing, driven by NFIs in Kayin and foods in the dry zone;
* Shan State’s 2.8% rise in food prices was the largest
* Rakhine food prices climbed as tomato prices spiked, matching a seasonal trend of past years;
* Food and NFI baskets were 414k and 262k MMK, respectively, but they were higher in Rakhine and Kayin;
* Food prices rose 6-7% in a few townships like Pinlaung and Bilin where foods were usually the driver; among states/regions, led by rice, chicken and vegetables;
* Essential food prices fell 4% overall driven by lower prices for rice, pulses and cooking oil;
* The total basket price was down 1% from one year ago, with NFIs up 17% and foods down 9%.
Overview
September offered a shift toward lower prices as monsoon season drew to a close and prices retreated from higher levels. Food and NFI baskets fell 1.9% and 3.6%, respectively, with lower prices across all categories of goods this month. The downward shift was most pronounced for NFIs, likely due to lower transportation costs as rains subsided. Food prices also dipped after holding fairly steady last month.
A trend toward lower prices was visible across regions in September. August’s price reductions in Kayin State continued, and they took hold in the Dry Zone and northwest Myanmar as well. Southern Shan State was an exception as prices rose this month on higher rice and vegetable prices which were previously flat. Rakhine saw a large seasonal spike in tomato prices, but otherwise most product prices were stable or falling.
Higher food prices may yet be in store before lower winter prices for rice and vegetables begin to show up at market. Moreover, uncertainty around the upcoming elections may stir prices as retailers opt to store cash or inventory in anticipation of possible market disruptions.
