November 27, 2024

 

Rising costs lead to about 80% of livestock businesses in Mon State, Myanmar shutting down

 

 

About 80% of livestock businesses in Mon State, Myanmar, have been forced to close since the February 2021 coup in the country, due to increased costs.

 

In Mon State, the main livestock businesses are poultry, pig and fish farms as well as smaller scale farms raising goats, cattle, and quail.

 

Following the coup, prices of imported goods such as animal feed and medicine skyrocketed. Transport costs and general expenses also rose. This has forced many livestock farmers in Mon State out of business.

 

Subsequently, the prices of meat and poultry products in Mon State rose significantly, with prices of some livestock products in the state now four times more expensive than before the coup.

 

One livestock farmer said that increased costs, especially of imported animal feed, has made it very hard for livestock farmers to operate, leading to a decrease in meat production and an increase in prices.

 

He said: "The number of ranchers has dropped drastically, as the imported animal feed essential for us has become extremely expensive. Currently, about 80% of ranchers and poultry owners have gone out of business, leaving only 20% still operating. This has caused an imbalance in supply and demand, driving prices up."

 

For instance, since the coup, chicken feed in Mon State has become three times more expensive.

 

According to another Mon State poultry farmer, many poultry farmers in the state have had to stop operating due to the increased price of chicken feed.

 

As well as the rising costs, animal deaths in the Mon State livestock sector have rose due seasonal changes in the weather.

 

- BNI