Booze prices spike as stocks near depletion

From The Myanmar Times - Aye Thida Kyaw

A dwindling supply of imported alcohol in Yangon has forced what sellers remain to increase the price of booze as much as 50 percent, while the country’s largest shops continue to remain free of quality alcohol ahead of the holiday peak season.

A policeman keeps watch over boxes filled with wine at Premium Distribution’s warehouse in Yangon on December 12. Photo: Zarni Phyo

Over the past two months, a government taskforce has confiscated tens of thousands of bottles of alcohol from the country’s largest distributors in several raids, while company officials could face criminal charges for allegedly importing alcohol without a licence.

The raids, on wine and luxury food importers Quarto Products and Premium Distribution, have unnerved the hotel and restaurant industry, and led to the large-scale withdrawal of imported wines and spirits from supermarkets.

Some small vendors do remain in Myaynigone and Botahtaung townships, but stocks are shrinking and prices are growing, sellers said.

www.wec-myanmar.com

Read the full article here: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/9108-booze-prices-spike-as-stocks-near-depletion.html

www.wecinternationalltd.com

Further reading here: http://www.irrawaddy.org/business/arrest-govt-crackdown-retailer-points-alcohol-imports-tycoons.html

and here: http://m.aljazeera.com/story/2013129121011404800

I know a few folks in Yangon who won't be happy about the sudden spike in the price of alcohol!

No booze over crimbo and new year? How depressing!

No booze over crimbo and new year? How depressing!

Still plenty of beer and local alcohol to be had (they do actually produce some very decent wine, too) so not all is lost.

Alcohol abuse................................

Alcohol abuse................................

I guess the Generals and leading politicians wanted to restock there personal supplies.