Myanmar economic monitor: Surviving, not thriving - Special focus on Myanmar’s agrifood industry resilience and adaptability

This paper aims to assess the economic and social impacts of the March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar by examining how ongoing conflict, weak domestic demand, labor shortages, and power outages continue to constrain recovery

Myanmar's agrifood sector has demonstrated notable resilience in the face of persistent and multifaceted uncertainties-ranging from conflict and natural disasters to chronic infrastructure deficits and market disruptions. Despite structural barriers and frequent shocks, including regular floods and the recent earthquake, most food-processing firms have managed to sustain operations and maintain workforce levels, underscoring the sector's adaptability and capacity for recovery. However, this resilience is continually tested by ongoing challenges such as unreliable electricity, volatile input supplies, skill shortages, ongoing conflict, and fragmented supply chains.