Malaysia: Rain brings up veggie prices

The Star 11 Sep 18;

PETALING JAYA: Weeks of stormy, wet weather have affected vegetable yields from farms in some states, causing prices of vegetables to increase by as much as 20%.

Traders in Penang and Johor are seeing a drop in supply and this has pushed up prices of leafy greens in the market.

But in other places such as Perak and the Klang Valley, prices are still stable while some selected vegetables have actually come down due to oversupply.

Over in Sarawak, a drought for the past two months had resulted in a hike for several types of vegetables.

“Monsoon season is supposed to be during year-end but the weather is not very predictable these days.

“So if the rain is prolonged, production will be affected because there will be less harvest.

“But right now, heavy rainfalls are just happening for the past two to three days. So it is still early to gauge the situation,” said Chong.

He added that aside from the prices of red chilli, leafy vegetables were still very affordable.

“Normally, leafy vegetables are the first to go up if there is a problem with harvesting, but until today, it’s still below market price,” he said.

Chong said they would try their best to keep prices stable in order not to burden consumers.

“Fluctuations are not in our interest, as there are many members with long-term supply contracts and commitments.

“You can’t afford to raise prices one day and lower them the next, especially if you’re supplying to places like government canteens or retail outlets,” said Chong.


Prices in Johor to increase if rain continues in next two weeks
The Star 11 Sep 18;

JOHOR BARU: Prices of vegetables in Johor will increase if the heavy downpour continues over the next two weeks.

Vegetable seller Khairul Moha­mad, 39, said leafy vegetables such as bayam, kangkung, kailan and sawi would be affected due to the ongoing heavy rainfalls.

“Many vegetable traders who depend on suppliers will likely increase their prices as a result.

“But my employer has his own vegetable farm in Kempas where all our produce are planted.

Another vegetable trader, K. Ragu, 36, said his supplies had not been affected yet despite Johor experiencing heavy rainfall in the last couple of days.

He said currently, leafy vegetables were sold at RM2 for three bundles but the prices might increase, depending on the weather.

Housewife Mariana Abdullah, 54, said rain was just an excuse, adding that prices of vegetables would still go up, regardless of the weather.

“During the rainy season, the price will increase. Even if there is a dry spell, the price will also go up.

“We still need to eat but if the price becomes too expensive, then I will buy less,” she said.

Johor Consumers Movement Association president Md Salleh Sadijo urged the authorities such as Federal Agriculture Marketing Agen­cy and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to help protect both consumers and sellers.

“Prices of vegetables are influenced by supply and demand. During bad weather, vegetable supply will be affected and this will cause prices to surge.

“Both agencies should monitor closely and find a proper solution to ensure prices of vegetables remain affordable to the people,” he said.


Price hike due to wet weather, say traders
The Star 11 Sep 18;

GEORGE TOWN: Weeks of wet weather have affected vegetable yields from farms outside Penang, causing prices of leafy greens to increase by as much as about 20%.

A check by The Star found that various types of vegetables from Cameron Highlands cost more compared to a week ago.

Traders met at a popular market in Taman Lip Sin attributed the price hike to poor weather conditions at the highlands.

Vegetable seller Yaneki Gan, 26, said prices for vegetables from Cameron Highlands increased between 10% and 20% this week.

“The bad weather has affected vegetable yields. Hence, prices of vegetables went up,” she said.

Another trader Annie Tan, 46, said although the prices of vegetables had increased, it was “not that much”.

“Vegetable production was affected because of the cold and wet weather.

“Therefore, a little price increase is unavoidable,” she said.

Tan also said the price hike this week could be due to the increase in labour charges in view of the long weekend holiday.

“Suppliers may have to hire foreign workers to work during the holidays in place of locals.

“This may cause extra labour costs, hence causing the suppliers to slightly increase their prices,” she said.

The long weekend was due to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V’s official birthday on Sunday and Awal Muharram today.

Company supervisor M. Santha, 51, was one of the many shoppers, spotted selecting fresh vegetables.

“I buy my vegetables here but sometimes, I go to the Bayan Baru market as well. It depends on where is more convenient for me.

“I can understand if the traders increase the prices of vegetables as the weather is quite unpredictable these days.

“So far, I didn’t notice that much difference in the prices,” said Santha.

Another market-goer, who only wished to be known as Ong, 50, said he did not mind the slight price increase as long as the vegetables were fresh.

“It is understandable for prices to go up because of the rainy weather.

“I come here regularly to do my grocery shopping and find that the produce here are good and fresh,” he said.

Penang Island Vegetable Whole­salers Association chairman Tan Ban Ben said there was no significant increase in the prices of locally grown vegetables.

“The rainy season did not really affect vegetable yields here on Penang island and mainland because there was no high tide. Hence, there were no floods at the farms here.

“In fact, local vegetables like cucumber, lady’s fingers, long beans, kangkung and bayam are sold at a lower price at markets now due to oversupply.

“However, if there is continuous rain in the next few days, there may be a hike in the prices,” he said.

Tan agreed that prices of vegetables from Cameron Highlands such as tomato and cabbage had increased.

“The wet weather over there caused the yields to drop and prices of vegetables to go up.

“If vegetables from Cameron Highlands are slightly expensive in the markets, then choose the local ones for now,” he said.