DAWEI — Wholesale markets in Dawei, Tanintharyi, are facing a severe operational crisis as intensifying conflict and road closures choke the inflow of essential regional commodities.

Since the first week of February, the strategic Myeik-Dawei highway has been paralyzed by ongoing clashes between junta forces and revolutionary groups. The resulting 20-day blockade has effectively halted the flow of rubber, betel nut, and cashews—the main products of the regional economy.

Wholesalers in the regional capital say they are running out of options. Large volumes of cashews and betel nuts, typically sourced from Palaw and Thayetchaung townships, are currently stranded on blocked transport routes.

“We are at a breaking point,” said one Dawei-based cashew wholesaler. “Supplies from the south are completely cut off. Even with the stock we have on hand, the processing requires time for drying. At this rate, we will be forced to shut down our warehouse for at least two weeks.”

Most local products for the Dawei market are typically supplied from Thayetchaung, Palaw, Pala, the Dawei Eastern, and Yephyu Township.

The crisis is not limited to incoming supply. Processed rubber heading toward Myeik from Dawei has also been caught in the crossfire.

“One of our trucks has been trapped on the road for over ten days,” reported a local rubber trader. “The driver and assistant are stuck with a full load; they can neither move forward toward their destination nor retreat to safety.”

In a desperate bid to keep trade alive, some merchants have begun exploring expensive and risky maritime routes to bypass the blocked highways.

The prolonged disruption has kept local commodity prices volatile. Currently, dried betel nut slices are trading between 11,000 and 12,500 Kyats per viss, while cashews range from 7,200 to 10,000 Kyats per viss.

Military tensions and continuous clashes between junta forces and revolutionary groups have persisted on the Myeik-Dawei and Thayetchaung-Dawei roads since early February. As a result, the flow of goods has been disrupted for nearly 20 days.

Earlier this month, junta troops opened fire on a cargo truck, killing the driver and wounding four others, including local residents.

With daily airstrikes reported in Thayetchaung and no sign of the blockade lifting, the region’s commercial sector remains in a state of high-alert paralysis.