No increase in price of mandarin oranges but fruits are smaller

With Chinese New Year fast approaching, demand for oranges is high. Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star

JOHOR BARU: Consumers can buy mandarin oranges at similar prices as last year but the fruits are smaller and not in abundance this year.

With Chinese New Year fast approaching, demand for the oranges is high.

Lim Boon Kim, 53, who has been supplying the fruits to business operators for the past 27 years, said his shipments were delayed this year.

“We usually order our oranges three months before the new year.

“But this year the Lunar New Year is in January and the year- end holidays for Christmas and New Year have delayed the shipment, ” he said.

Lim said the drought in China in November led to smaller fruits as well.

“Medium-sized and larger oranges will be harder to come by this year, ” he said.

Lim added that he has also taken into consideration the current economic uncertainities and reduced the amount of oranges purchased, from three containers to two.

Housewife Ngu Phew Hong, 63, said she has not noticed any increase in the prices of the oranges at her favourite retailer in Johor Jaya.

“Last year it was RM20 a box, and this year it is also the same price.

“As to the size I am unable to tell as they look roughly the same, ” she said.

Consumers can expect to spend between RM15 and RM20 for a 4kg box of medium-sized mandarin oranges, containing between 28 and 30 fruits.

A box of 24 to 28 large oranges would cost about RM25.