Mandarin oranges fewer and pricier

Prosperity fruits: Cheah at his shop in Petaling Jaya. He says there has been a 40 drop in supply for mandarin oranges.

PETALING JAYA: Not only are there fewer mandarin oranges to be had this Chinese New Year, they are now more expensive due to the lower ringgit.

Suppliers are blaming the recent bad weather and high demand in China for the fruit – long considered a symbol of wealth and good fortune during the celebration – for the shortage.