Myanmar Spring Chronicle – Scenes from April 7
(MoeMaKa), April 8, 2026
Fuel Conservation and Myanmar’s Economy
The attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States on February 28 made countries around the world—especially those importing oil and liquefied natural gas from the Middle East—realize that global fuel prices would rise and supplies could become difficult to secure.
As a result, many countries identified fuel conservation as a key measure to prevent shortages. Governments began closely monitoring the distribution and sale of oil and gas, setting priority sectors for allocation and taking steps to prevent abnormal price increases.
Among Southeast Asian countries, those without domestic oil production have had to respond more carefully. Governments in Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, and Vietnam have become more directly involved in fuel distribution. Some have introduced quotas and priority allocation systems, while also trying to avoid severe disruption to economic activity.
In addition to controlling domestic consumption, these countries have focused on securing fuel imports during the conflict. Some have sought assistance from neighboring countries with large reserves, while others have engaged diplomatically with Iran—which controls the Strait of Hormuz—to ensure safe passage for their oil tankers.
Recent reports indicate that a Thai oil company successfully secured passage for one of its tankers. Countries with strong financial capacity, such as China and Japan, have also reportedly received requests from partner nations to share portions of their strategic reserves in times of emergency.
In contrast, Myanmar’s military regime has not clearly explained how it is managing fuel procurement. According to a statement dated April 7, the country currently has gasoline reserves for 40 days and diesel for 50 days, and plans to import 26 oil tankers during April. However, the accuracy of these claims remains questionable.
The regime stated that since launching a fuel-saving program on March 7, daily fuel consumption has dropped by nearly one-third—from 3.54 million gallons per day to about 2.5 million gallons. This reduction is expected to significantly decrease foreign currency spending, potentially saving around $2 billion annually if maintained.
However, the statement does not address how cutting nearly 1 million gallons of daily fuel consumption has affected people’s livelihoods. Although many regions are controlled by various resistance forces, most goods—including fuel—are still transported from major cities like Yangon and Mandalay. Only some border areas can access fuel imports from neighboring countries such as India, China, and Thailand; the majority still rely on supplies controlled by the military regime.
The conservation measures have also pushed unemployed individuals into reselling fuel purchased through long queues. At the same time, the widening gap between official prices and black-market prices has encouraged fuel stations to sell at higher, unofficial rates.
The imbalance between supply and demand has fueled black markets and scarcity, driving up the cost of consumer goods, agricultural products, and services. Prices for vegetables, meat, transportation, and travel have all increased, leading to a noticeable rise in the cost of living within just a month.
The impact on agriculture and fisheries has been particularly severe, affecting employment opportunities and income across Myanmar’s economy.
With the fuel crisis now lasting over a month, no one can predict how much longer it will continue. In cities like Yangon and Mandalay, black-market fuel prices are about two to three times higher than official rates. In remote areas—after passing through layers of taxes and restrictions—prices can rise to three to five times higher than expected.
While some Southeast Asian countries are also experiencing fuel-related difficulties due to the global crisis, it is unlikely that any are facing the level of disorder seen in Myanmar.
Notably, the military regime’s official statements on fuel distribution fail to address these ground realities.
The fuel crisis has further suffocated Myanmar’s society, which was already struggling under armed conflict, economic collapse, and humanitarian emergencies—tightening the pressure like a noose around the population.