Mizzima
Domestic fuel prices in Myanmar experienced a massive surge on 20 March, 2026, with the Military Commission’s Fuel Import, Storage and Distribution Supervision Committee announcing hikes of approximately 1,000 kyats across all major fuel categories.
The price of 92-octane gasoline rose by nearly 800 kyats per litre, while 95-octane increased by over 900 kyats. The most dramatic shift was seen in diesel prices, which surged by more than 1,200 kyats per liter in a single day.
In the junta’s administrative capital of Naypyidaw, 92-octane gasoline jumped from 2,910 kyats on 19 March to 3,690 kyats per litre on 20 March, 95-octane gasoline from 3,010 kyats per litre to 3,930 kyats while premium diesel spiked from 3,640 kyats to 4,900 kyats per litre.
Fuel prices have resumed their upward trend, with 92-grade gasoline in Yangon, Mandalay and Naypydaw priced between 2,300 and 2,400 kyats per litre until 26 March.
“We can only buy fuel worth 10,000 kyats a day and must scan a QR code. There are long queues at gas stations, and we have to wait in line. Previously, we also had to queue just to get the 10,000-kyat quota,” a Naypyidaw resident said.
Housewives say the latest surge in domestic fuel prices, coupled with the Military Commission’s decision to raise electricity tariffs in industrial zones and special economic zones by 900 kyats per unit, is driving up the cost of food and basic commodities, including rice and cooking oil.
On 4 March, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the Military Commission, said Myanmar has a 40-day fuel reserve, with two ships docked but yet to unload and 14 more vessels carrying purchased fuel en route, adding there is no reason to expect a shortage.
Citing the need to conserve fuel amid the conflict in the Middle East, the Military Commission has imposed an odd-even vehicle restriction system allowing cars with even-numbered plates to operate on even days and those with odd numbers on odd days while exempting electric vehicles, and limiting fuel purchases to once daily through a QR code system.
A Naypyidaw resident said fuel sales are priced at 50,000 kyats per car, 10,000 kyats per three-wheeled taxi, and 5,000 kyats per motorbike.
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