Attachments
This Rapid Market Assessment (RMA) provides data on market function, supply, activity, and logistics in 60 earthquake/non-earthquake townships across 9 states/regions. Data were collected Nov. 20-30 through observation and KIIs with 121 retailers. Reports available at www.themimu.info/market-analysis-unit.
KEY FINDINGS
• Markets were open and functional in November with few closures and some improvement in market security;
• Linkages between townships and villages were intact, but one-in-five townships still had tenuous trade links;
• Overall supply was stable in November, but fuel supply worsened and NFI supply improved marginally;
• Fuel supply grew much worse in Kayin and Magway amid reports of restrictions on fuel shipments;
• Winter vegetables improved food supply in Rakhine, bringing food more in line with other regions monitored; Supply of shelter NFIs in Rakhine remained very poor and accounted for the state's largest weakness in supply;
• Checkpoints and restrictions strained transportation raising supply costs and limiting inventory;
• Security was a major concern in select markets where retailers feared airstrikes and thus limited their activity.
Overview
Market operations remained relatively stable in November, despite many concerns from retailers about local safety and security. Checkpoints and trade restrictions greatly hampered trade, limiting access to fuel, foods and some NFIs. Fuel supply grew much worse in Kayin and Magway, and retailers in Kayin said Thai imports became much harder to acquire in November. Overall food supply was stable, and it improved in Rakhine State where winter harvest brought more vegetables to market. Shipping costs were stable, yet transportation of goods remained very difficult. Despite stable supply many retailers reported trade challenges and growing worries about security