Hot weather pushes watermelon price up 40%

KLANG: The dry weather is driving the prices of watermelon up by at least 40%.

What used to cost about RM1.10 per kg for a grade A (the highest grade) watermelon, now costs between RM1.30 and RM1.40.

Despite the increase in the price, consumers are more than willing to buy the thirst-quenching fruit.

Fruit distributor Teoh Sin Keong said although he did not feel good about the hot season, he was pleased that his watermelon supply from farms in Perak and Kedah were still in abundance.

“Everyday, except for public holidays, the supply would come from the north,” said the 47-year-old. “I am glad it is coming steadily as the demand from my clients is increasing,” he said at his shoplot in Jalan Landasan here.

The supply of watermelon would arrive every day at about 8am, Teoh said. His 15 workers would then segregate the fruits according to grades before sending them to wholesalers in the district.

Ever since dry days hit the country weeks ago, Teoh has been receiving many walk-in customers.

“I would ask my workers to put some watermelons aside for such customers,” he said.

A walk-in customer, who only wanted to be known as Wong, said he would buy enough watermelons to last him during the dry spell.