Market Analysis Unit: Rapid Market Assessment – Sagaing Region (July 30, 2024) – Myanmar

This Rapid Market Assessment (RMA) is a supplement to the MAU Market Price Report in South Sagaing Region. It provides township-level data on market functionality, activity, supply and logistics. Data was collected through observation and KIIs with retailers from 21 to 30 June 2024. Reports available at www.themimu.info/market-analysis-unit.

KEY FINDINGS

• Market activity was stable in June with three out of five markets described as relatively safe;

• Retail sales grew in Monywa and Yinmarbin, but activity declined in Shwebo, where security was poor;

• Supply remained quite limited in some markets, notably Monywa and Yinmarbin;

• The supply of NFIs remained worse than that of food, and the supply of shelter and hygiene NFIs deteriorated in number of cases;

• Shipping costs increased by 7% in Ye-U, although shipping costs and delivery times remained broadly stable elsewhere;

• Retail challenges increased significantly in Myaung, while retailers in Shwebo reported the most challenges.

Regional overview

Market Functioning – Security in and around Myaung and Shwebo markets was poor, but operations were stable. Market operations and safety were stable in June, with consistent market hours and no reports of new damage or closures. Observers described three of the five markets monitored as relatively safe.

Market activity – Market activity was fairly stable, although there was slight growth in Monywa and Yinmarbin. Stable market conditions were accompanied by modest increases in customer and retailer activity in Monywa and Yinmarbin. Retail activity declined slightly in Shwebo, where security was poor, but was stable elsewhere.

Availability of goods – Supply remained largely unchanged in June and was still very low in Monywa and Yinmarbin. NFIs’ provision of shelter deteriorated in Myaung and Shwebo in June, and supplies of essential foodstuffs declined in Monywa. Overall, food supplies were better than for NFIs, and NFIs for shelter and hygiene were most needed in the region.

Transportation and logistics – Shipping costs increased in two of the five markets, but delivery times remained stable. Shipping costs rose 7 percent in Ye-U, and retailers said they also rose in Monywa, but were stable in three other markets. Delivery times ranged from two days to 10 days, depending on the market, and were largely unchanged since May. All markets monitored allowed movement of goods between townships, but transportation remained difficult. Monywa, Mandalay and Yangon were common suppliers to markets in the region.

Retail Challenges – Retail challenges increased in Myaung in June, but were still greatest in Shwebo. Retailers were increasingly concerned about safety/security in June, particularly in Myaung, Shwebo and Yinmarbin. Concerns about poor access to cash also increased in June, and this was a significant challenge for retailers in four of the five monitored markets. Ye-U retailers reported the least retail-related issues, and stock/market damage was not a major concern in any of the monitored markets.