The World Bank’s recent report on Myanmar’s food security and agriculture sector, prepared by a team led by Valens Mwumvaneza and Nkulumo Zinyengere with support from various experts, presents a deeply concerning scenario characterized by a combination of conflict, economic instability, and logistical challenges that have significantly affected the livelihoods of farmers and the availability of food across the country.

Plummeting Exports and Skyrocketing Food Prices

The period between 2022 and 2023 saw a noticeable decline in Myanmar’s food exports, which fell by 9%, while imports decreased by 12%. This decline is attributed primarily to the depreciation of the kyat and restrictive policies surrounding export earnings. The resulting economic instability has led to soaring retail food prices, with year-on-year increases ranging between 54% and 78%. This sharp rise in food costs has exacerbated the already precarious situation for Myanmar’s poorest households, particularly in urban areas, where the cost of common and healthy diets has risen by 29% and 37%, respectively. These increases are most pronounced in conflict-affected areas such as Rakhine, Chin, Kayah, and Shan states, where ongoing violence and logistical disruptions have further complicated food access.