Monitoring the impact of COVID-19 in Myanmar: Agricultural input retailers - Synopsis of results from five survey rounds through late July 2020

Key findings • Disruptions to input retailers from COVID-19 related restrictions were most severe early in the crisis, stemming primarily from lockdowns and travel restrictions. By late July, these restrictions were affecting less than 3 percent of the retailers interviewed. • The most severe disruptions to input retail shops were sharply lower demand (reported by 82 percent of retailers) and collecting repayment from credit lent out (84 percent). These disruptions in late July still impacted 32 and 38 percent, respectively. • Half had lower fertilizer sales between May and July compared to the same time in 2019. • Adoption of safety practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 waned from a peak in mid-May of 90 percent of retailers adopting to 59 percent in late July. • 40 percent of input retailers were more pessimistic about the future of their business in late July than they were in March. • 35 percent plan to reduce the credit they will offer out to farmers in coming seasons.