Floods: Vegetable, fish prices expected to stabilise in three months

BERA: The rise in prices of vegetable and fish in several areas especially in flood-hit states is expected to be resolved in less than three months.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ministry had imported supplies of vegetables and fish from neighbouring  countries to overcome shortage and to stabilise food prices.

"Things are still under control as many people do not need to buy vegetables as they are at relief centres, but I am concerned when they return home.

"That is why we have directed the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) to import food and vegetables," he told reporters after visiting flood victims at SMK Kerayong relief centre, here Saturday.

The items include round cabbage, tomato, red pepper, potato, ginger, onion and big onion from India and Holland, coconut and garlic imported from Indonesia, China, Vietnam, India and Holland.

He did not refute the price of vegetables in flood hit states had increased by 70%.

However, there was no problem with supply of fish as frozen fish had been stocked since November.

Fama and the National Fishermen Association (Nekmat) would be sellling goods at low prices after the floods, in an effort to stabilise prices.

Ismail said flood victims must register with the district agriculture department to receive compensation under the Disaster Relief Fund established last year. – Bernama