The MAU tracks market prices in southern Sagaing Region. Data are collected from three vendors per product per market at the end of each month. The data include prices from Monywa (main market), Myaung (village), Shwebo (main market), Ye-U (village), and Yinmarbin (village). Data and product specs are available at www.themimu.info/market-analysis-unit.
KEY FINDINGS
- May added further increases to April's price hikes, although May's increases were less dramatic;
- Cooking oil prices rose 11% in May, and essential food prices crept slightly higher in some markets;
- Prices for some vegetables rose 13-25% in May, while a few vegetables pulled back from April's 40% hikes;
- Meat and fish prices rose 2-9%, compounding the effects of April's 10-20% price increases;
- Prices for hygiene NFIs were relatively stable in May and more so than other product categories this month;
- Prices for various other NFIs climbed 3-9%, rising at a pace similar to April, and very few NFI prices fell in May;
- Monywa again saw the steepest price hikes—although less severe than last month—and Yinmarbin saw significant price hikes as well.
Product-Level Price Changes
Essential Foods – Essential food prices were stable or rising in May, and cooking oil added 11% on top of April's price hikes. Cooking oil prices rose again in May, adding 11% on top of April's 15% increases. Prices for rice and pulses were overall stable, although they rose 3-12% in Myaung and Shwebo.
Vegetables – Prices for long bean, green chili, and bananas rose 13-25% in May, but other vegetable prices fluctuated. Prices for green chili spiked in May, climbing at least 25% in several markets, while long bean prices rose 13%. By contrast, onion and eggplant prices were down 10% and 20%, respectively. Prices for garlic and watercress fluctuated but were overall stable.
Meat and Fish – Meat and fish prices increased 2-9%, rising somewhat slower than in April when prices climbed 10-20%. Prices for dried fish, shrimp, fresh fish, and fish paste rose 2-4% in May, while chicken prices increased 9%.
Hygiene Products – Prices for hygiene products were relatively stable, although prices jumped in some markets. Detergent prices increased 7% in May, while soap prices fell 5%. Prices for toothpaste and sanitary pads were generally stable. At a township-level, prices for hygiene products rose 7-9% in Monywa while other markets saw a mix of rising and falling prices.
Other NFIs – Prices for most NFIs increased 3-9% in May, rising at a page similar to April. Prices for blankets, plastic tarps, and longyis rose a fairly-modest 1-3%, while prices for charcoal and umbrellas increased 9-12%. Prices for other NFIs like jerry cans, towels, mosquito nets, and cooking pots—some of which saw price hikes last month—were generally stable in May. All markets saw NFI price hikes in May, but increases were most notable in Monywa and Yinmarbin.