Arakan State’s fish, prawn trade disrupted by COVID-19

Fish and prawn traders are having difficulties sending their goods from Arakan State to Yangon due to COVID-19, said Daw Khin Khin Kyi, assistant head of the Department of Fisheries in Kyaukphyu district.

By Win Nyunt 27 May 2020

Win Nyunt | DMG
27 May, Sittwe

Fish and prawn traders are having difficulties sending their goods from Arakan State to Yangon due to COVID-19, said Daw Khin Khin Kyi, assistant head of the Department of Fisheries in Kyaukphyu district.

“Boat and bus services are suspended now, so fish cannot be sent to Yangon. Prawns also cannot be sent by flight,” she said.

Demand was now limited to the domestic market, she added.

“Previously, traders had to send fisheries products abroad, 15 packages a day. Now, they do not have foreign buyers,” she said.

Meanwhile, fishermen and owners of fishing and prawn farms are facing lower incomes because sales of fisheries products are down and prices have also slumped compared with pre-pandemic levels.

The total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Myanmar stood at 206 as of May 27, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports. Arakan State has so far reported just two confirmed cases.