Buthidaung, Arakan State: Prices of different varieties of rice have gone up in markets in north Arakan State, which also saw a declining trend of some essential commodities last week, said a businessman from Buthidaung.

The prices of rice increased to Kyat 14,000 to 15,000 per 50 kg bag of rice, which was Kyat 13,500 before the floods. Businessmen apprehend that the price might rise further in the absence of government’s intervention. But, a bag of 50 kg rice which has been provided by WFP to the villagers in Buthidaung Township is being sold at Kyat 17,000 per bag.

Besides, prices of essential commodities such as garlic, onion, ginger, edible oil, powder milk, sugar, potatoes, pea, salt, chili, turmeric, fish and meat, have also been increasing.

Price of garlic went up to Kyat 3,000 by Viss (one Viss= 1.64 kg). It was sold at Kyat 2,500 per Viss before the floods.

Onion is being sold at Kyat 500 per Viss while it was sold at Kyat 450 before the floods.

Price of ginger has also shot up to Kyat 3,000 per Viss while it was Kyat 2,500 before the floods.

Price of edible oil has gone up to Kyat 2,500 per Viss while it was only Kyat 2,000 before the floods.

One Viss of sugar is being sold at Kyat at 1,500, while it was Kyat 1,300; one Viss of salt is being sold at Kyat 150, while it was Kyat 120; one Viss of dried Chill is being sold at 3,000, while it was only Kyat 2,500, one Viss of potato is being sold at Kyat 900; while it was Kyat 800 before the floods, and a bag of 50 kg chick peas is being sold at Kyat 18,000, said another trader in Buthidaung town.  

Now, one Viss of beef is being sold at Kyat 6,000, while it was only Kyat 5,000. One Viss of mutton is being sold at Kyat at 5,000, while it was Kyat 4,500.  A big cock is being sold at Kyat 4,000 to 6,000, while it was sold at Kyat 3,500 to 5,000 before the floods, said a local butcher of Buthidaung.

Price of fish has also gone up. A Viss of good quality fish is being sold at Kyat 4,000 to 5,000 and the medium quality fish is being sold at Kyat 3,000 per Viss after the floods, said a fisherman.

After floods, an egg is being sold at Kyat 100, a cup of tea Kyat 100 to 150, one gallon of kerosene is being sold at Kyat 4,000.

But, in Maungdaw north a 50 kg of rice bag is being sold at Kyat 16,000 to 18,000 while it was Kyat 15,000 per bag. Besides, the prices of all other essential commodities are also skyrocketing, said rice trader from Maungdaw town.

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