YANGON: Long queues have reappeared at fuel stations in Taungoo, Bago region, and residents report that black market gasoline prices have risen to around 10,000 kyats (US$4.76) per liter.
According to local residents, motorists have once again been forced to queue for fuel, creating new difficulties after several months of relatively smooth fuel distribution. When fuel sales via the QR code system were first introduced in March and April, customers often had to queue for several hours to buy fuel.
However, for the past three months, fuel has been available with minimal waiting times, allowing motorists to purchase it more conveniently.
However, since around the third week of July, long lines have returned as fuel shortages have re-emerged, forcing customers to spend hours waiting to buy fuel. Currently, the price of a liter of gasoline sold at gas stations is around 3,500 kyats, but abroad it is between 9,500 and 10,000 kyats per liter, making it difficult to buy even if necessary, according to Taungoo residents.
Regarding the increase in the price of a liter of gasoline, a local said: “When gasoline was sold outside with a QR code system, we had to pay 12,000 to 13,000 kyats for a liter of gasoline. Later, the price gradually decreased and we were able to buy a liter for 5,000 kyats for one or two months. Now, about three days ago, the price went up again, saying that there was a shortage of gasoline. We had to buy a liter for 9,500 kyats in the morning. The outside price varies from place to place, and in some places they sell it for 10,000 kyats. With the increase in the price of gasoline, it is very inconvenient for us, contract transporters and casual workers,” said a resident who drives a school bus every day.
In Taungoo, a gas station was able to sell fuel through a QR code system last March for between 15,000 and 20,000 kyats, but recently, due to fuel shortages, gasoline is only sold for between 10,000 and 12,000 kyats when the queues reopen. – Eleven Media/ANN
