Owners of rice broker’s sale centers said the rice prices began to rise after rice and paddies are sold to not Yangon and Mandalay, but also to Bangladesh.

“Rice is running out in the countryside since many areas are taking them. That’s why prices have risen,” U Maung Maung Than, an owner of a rice broker’s sale center, told Narinjara News.

A bag of paw san hwe rice cost only Ks 36,000 in April but it has reached up to Ks 44,000 within July. Similarly, a bag of shwe wah tun only cost Ks 30,000 in April, but now it costs between Ks 35,000 and 40,000 within July.

“The prices usually rise in early monsoon seasons. It has become a tradition now. The rise in prices is a little higher this year than previous years,” said U San Kyaw Shwe, an owner of a rice broker’s sale center.

Rice is the main crop in the Rakhine State and rice produced from the state are sufficient for the state and it is also sold outside the Rakhine State.

Low-income workers said they are facing difficulties as they have to pay a high price to buy the rice.