By Kantarawaddy Times
In Pruso Township, Karenni State, buyers of local agricultural products and commodities are facing major difficulties transporting goods due to ongoing road closures. A female buyer from Pruso explained that not only are they unable to deliver purchased goods, but some have also started to spoil due to delays.
“When the roads are blocked, it’s really hard for traders like us, especially when it rains. The route through Taungoo is closed, so we tried going via Yin Ni. But that road’s in poor condition, so now we can only transport via Loikaw. Even then, authorities are cracking down on unlicensed vehicles in Loikaw, making things worse. We can’t go either way. And with the rain, the goods we bought are now getting damaged—we’ve had them sitting for about two weeks,” the female buyer said.
Buyers dealing in a range of local products say persistent rain and blocked roads have damaged stored goods and made transportation nearly impossible.
“Around 100 bag of local products are not able to deliver and have keep in my store. I have over 600 viss of lac (Laccifer lacca) just sitting in storage. The peanuts I purchased—worth over 700,000 MMK—have spoiled. I can’t transport them anywhere, and even if I could, the road conditions are too poor,” she added.
Previously, these traders transported goods toward Taungoo, but due to the prolonged road closures—lasting over a month—they are no longer able to do so.
Currently, local produce is being sent toward Loikaw and Taunggyi. However, in Loikaw itself, the recent crackdown on unlicensed vehicles has added to the transportation woes.
“Roads are blocked. We don’t know which route to use anymore. Loikaw isn’t an option because of all the military inspections. It’s been raining too. The route through Taungoo is shut, and larger trucks can’t get through Yin Ni either. We’re seeing a lot of product spoilage,” said a male trader from Dee Maw HsoTownship.
Due to travel restrictions, fluctuating market prices are also becoming a concern, and many traders have suffered losses. This season, traders are primarily purchasing agricultural crops such as yams, peanuts, green gram, and lac (Laccifer lacca), along with forest products including wild yams, hurbal plants, and edible forest roots.
