Myanmar has been facing a severe gasoline shortage for over 20 days, pushing black market prices to as high as 6,000 Kyats per liter. The ongoing fuel crisis is causing significant hardships for residents nationwide, with a growing black market emerging as the primary source of fuel in several regions, local distributors report.
Fuel sellers indicate that the military regime has imposed strict controls on fuel transportation, forcing traders to rely on smuggling to supply local areas. This has resulted in a substantial black market, particularly in regions such as Magway, Sagaing, Shan State, Kachin State, Chin State, and Rakhine State.
A fuel trader explained that the military has prohibited the distribution of fuel to areas where its operations are intensifying. Fuel is being smuggled from Yangon and Mandalay through military checkpoints, as regions outside of Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw face severe shortages. These areas are increasingly dependent on the black market for their fuel needs.
Reports indicate that black market prices in local areas are around 6,000 Kyats per liter, with prices soaring to over 10,000 Kyats per liter in regions where transportation is more difficult. Local fuel sellers explained that the military is deliberately cutting off fuel supplies to areas where battles are ongoing and to towns and villages controlled by revolutionary forces, exacerbating the crisis.
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