This blog post highlights the results from ten rounds of a telephone survey with food vendors conducted in rural and urban zones throughout Myanmar and focuses on the results from the latest round completed in December 2021. The purpose of the survey is to provide data and insights on Myanmar’s food markets to interested stakeholders to foster a better understanding of the effects of shocks related to COVID-19 and the ongoing political crisis. In particular, the research note explores changes in food prices and their impact on the cost of common and healthy diets.
You can view the full research note in English here.
Key findings
▪ Between December 2020 and December 2021, the cost of an average healthy diet increased by about 20 percent at the national level and increased slightly more in urban areas (22 percent) than in rural areas (19 percent).
▪ Healthy diets are more expensive than diets commonly consumed in Myanmar. It is estimated that the average common diet costs approximately two-thirds of the cost of a diet consistent with healthy diets recommended in food-based dietary guidelines.
▪ The cost of a healthy diet is highest in the Hills and Mountains agro-ecological region and lowest in the Dry Zone. The fastest rise of the cost of healthy diets was seen in the Coastal areas, where the cost increased by nearly 30 percent in 2021.
▪ Between September 2021 and December 2021, we observed a 21 percent increase in the price of vegetables.
▪ Between December 2020 and December 2021, inflation in micronutrient-rich food groups ranged from about 15 percent (vegetables, fruits, and animal source foods) to 24 percent (pulses). However, there is considerable variation between regions.
▪ The high and increasing cost of a healthy diet over the last year is worrisome, especially given the declining incomes seen in Myanmar. The rise in cost does not bode well for nutritional outcomes in the country this year.
Recommended actions
▪ It is important that vendors and their suppliers are allowed to continue to trade and that the smooth functioning of the food trading sector is prioritized during this difficult period. There should be few or no restrictions on national and international food transport flows and access to banking services for vendors should be maintained.
▪ Expanding social safety net interventions and integrating nutritional considerations–through larger allowances–to allow vulnerable and poorer households to afford nutritious but more expensive foods in their food basket should be explored.
▪ As pulses are widely produced domestically and are the cheapest source of protein in the country, promoting their expanded consumption should be considered.
This blog post highlights one of the many recent surveys and research notes that MAPSA has conducted to assess the emerging constraints that key agricultural actors face and to mitigate the possible impacts of COVID-19 and recent disruptions on rural livelihoods and food security. Additional blog posts are available highlighting MAPSA’s research on the impact of disruptions on key actors in Myanmar’s agri-food system. Surveys are ongoing, and findings and recommendations will be periodically updated.
